West Seattle coyotes: Gatewood, Sunrise Heights sightings

Two West Seattle coyote sightings to share. First, this is just out of the WSB inbox, from Paul and Karen:

We would just like to let you know that we saw a coyote walking south down 44th St. at the intersection of Portland St. (Gatewood area) this morning about 10:15 am. It was a very healthy-looking animal, maybe 35 lbs. It trotted to the dead end of 44th just south of Portland [map] and disappeared down the slope toward Lincoln Park. Beautiful animal!

Via Twitter, James reported a coyote sighting on New Year’s Day – 27th/Othello vicinity (map). He says, “They were going after cats. I threw rocks at them.” (That is part of the official advice offered on this federal-government webpage.)

15 Replies to "West Seattle coyotes: Gatewood, Sunrise Heights sightings"

  • velo_nut January 4, 2011 (12:05 pm)

    Threw rocks at them? WTF?

  • Beth January 4, 2011 (12:10 pm)

    Saw one at Lincoln park three days ago! Have to give ’em credit, nice digs. :)

  • moxilot January 4, 2011 (12:11 pm)

    I live on the east side of the golf course and around 1am last night they coyotes were going crazy. Yipping and howling and really causing a ruckus. Don’t know what was causing it, but it was loud.

  • SarahScoot January 4, 2011 (12:24 pm)

    Velo_nut, as WSB notes, throwing rocks is an officially-recommended deterrent method:
    “Discourage coyotes from frequenting your area. If you start seeing coyotes around your home or property, chase them away by shouting, making loud noises or throwing rocks.”

  • pigeon hill Jim January 4, 2011 (1:19 pm)

    We had a fine, healthy specimen on Pigeon Hill last week. He trotted down my driveway and off into the greenbelt. They do not look under fed. My cats are staying indoors.

  • T-Rex January 4, 2011 (2:05 pm)

    Wonderful, I live at the dead end of 44th, he was in my yard!

    I knew they had come back, heard them yelping over New Years weekend.

  • Kim January 4, 2011 (2:45 pm)

    There is a pack of 4 coyotes living behind our condo on Harbor Ave. We see them daily as they trot in the wooded area behind the neighborhood. On occasion, we have seen them by the 7-11 on Harbor as well.

  • Bruce January 4, 2011 (6:10 pm)

    Why can’t these animals be trapped and relocated? As someone noted in another coyote post, we are playing a lottery letting these animals stay in our midst. Small pets today, small people tomorrow.

  • Greg January 5, 2011 (7:09 am)

    Bruce,

    We live everywhere they do. “letting [them] stay in our midst”? Really? This is our planet then and the coyotes, racoons and possums are just guests until we get tire of them?…..and let me know when a coyote eats a person, I’m quite sure it’ll be a first.

  • James January 5, 2011 (12:48 pm)

    “Threw rocks at them? WTF?”

    Ya that’s what I was thinking. I gun would be much more effective.

  • Bestbets January 5, 2011 (1:10 pm)

    Plus coyotes are nomadic and they would likely return at some point (and who would pay for it?) They, like the other creatures Greg mentioned, and I would add birds and marine mammals as well, do quite well living around people thank you, and most of the time do not cause problems. Part of why I love West Seattle is its abundant urban wildlife (although I’ll admit, the raccoons and crows sometimes drive me nuts!)

  • M Flash January 5, 2011 (1:45 pm)

    Seeing the elusive Coyote in my hood…Canis Latrans “barking dog” in Latin; made my day! For all the wildlife that has been extinguished by humans…this creatures are the true survivors….we should respect them and keep the cats inside the house….

  • Electrified January 5, 2011 (3:51 pm)

    Amen, M Flash.

  • Ray West January 6, 2011 (4:51 am)

    My feeling is they have as much right to be here as we do. Residents just need to learn to live with all the urban wildlife that dwell here, as it’s unlikely they will be going away. The benefit is, coyotes help to keep the rodent population under control. I do draw the line at cougars in Discovery Park and bears in Ravenna, however! Keep a close eye on your pets, it’s best to keep cats indoors at all times, don’t feed wild animals, and keep garbage in a secured area.

  • KeithN January 6, 2011 (6:30 pm)

    Yeah good tip about keeping your cats inside where possible. One of our cats returned after 2 days with a damaged eye. $1500 in repairs later, and we’ll see them back from the vet maybe tomorrow. Our cats are getting switched to indoor cats. Ugh.

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