Thomas Szczepaniak is a voluntary data collector, who regularly observes the beavers in Hungary. He lives in Budapest and he likes to photograph nature.

He provided information and photos about a beaver colony in Budapest for the hodterkep.hu website several times, first in May 2022.

„So far in my observations, I have seen in 2021 2 large beavers and 2 smaller ones simultaneously. In 2022 I have seen 2 larger ones, 1 smaller one, and 4 babies (simultaneously) being carried to another lodge nearby.

I have been following them since autumn 2021.”

This is how he wrote later about his observations:

„The lodge seems to be bigger than the one they previously used. There is sign of a previously built lodge at this place as well, they may alternate depending on the Danube water level.

Same colony as previously described, 2 adults (quite large), 1 younger beaver (middle in size) and 3 to 4 babies.”

„Some trees are disappearing and the river bank is collapsing in some places, but no roads, private terrain is impacted. I am not sure many people are aware that a beaver colony lives there, despite the traces they are mostly visible at night. I make my observation around sunrise kb. 5 o’clock nowadays, they remain active until the first human/dog noises can be heard.”

In October 2022 he wrote about the effects /impacts and possible conflict situations at this territory:

„Hard to say, the fallen tree provide perch for the local kingfishers. I could see that a nutria usually stayed close to the beaver lodge and would at time climb on it to eat and rest.

The area where the beaver lodge is located is really close to bars and a trail. There is no damage so far for both the trail and bars areas. However the bank is also used by people (fishermen, walkers,…) and the trees are falling directly where those people walk or could sit near the water. the Lodge is also partially collapsed, the beaver remedies to this is to dig deeper which will in time result in the bank to collapse even more.”