Beaver Spotted In Yardley's Lake Afton (ICYMI)

YARDLEY, PA — A rare visitor appears to be making itself at home in Yardley's popular Lake Afton.

A beaver was spotted Saturday evening, swimming in the lake on Afton Avenue around dusk. Michelle Sharer, president of Friends of Lake Afton, captured video of the beaver.

She said it's the first time she's seen a beaver on the lake for at least a couple of years.

"I was excited to see the beaver, in spite of the fact that whatever he or she had in its mouth probably came from one of our trees or bushes," she said Monday.

Sharer said that, during the past few years, high levels of algae in the lake had discouraged some of the wildlife that usually likes to live there — either full-time or for a quick stop while migrating. Friends of Lake Afton has been working with a company that uses natural, biological products, such as bacteria and enzymes, to deal with the algae and get the lake healthier.

"After five years of treatments, Lake Afton looked fantastic this year ..., she said. "It means that the lake is healthier and safer for all the wildlife."

The beaver marks the lake's most recent mammal resident. Sharer said that, in 2017-18, there were muskrats living in the lake, using cattails near the Starbucks to make a den.

For more information on Friends of Lake Afton, you may visit their Facebook page or website.