West Seattle coyotes: 1st report of the year, and a holdover

| Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

The first coyote report of the New Year – at least, the first one we’ve heard about. From Cara about an hour ago:

My husband just reported that there was a coyote in our yard (40th between Hanford and Hinds) [map]. The coyote walked down the street (south on 40th) and is heading that way.

We are asked on occasion why we publish these reports, and our response is usually “until we stop hearing from people who weren’t previously aware that coyotes are IN the city.” Latest example ahead:

We received this report this week from Cheryl, though it happened last month:

On December 17th we had a coyote in front of our house on 4th Ave. SW near the lower east side of Westcrest Park [map]. We have a tiny dog who was in the front yard around 9:00 pm when we heard her yelp & scream, ran to the door and saw the coyote standing over her near the cars at the edge of the street. Our dog ran like lightning to the house and when we tried to scare the coyote away, it actually took a few steps toward us. We stomped and yelled a little louder and it ran off around the side of our house (not into the woods as we expected). This coyote definitely seemed accustomed to being around people and we are SOOOO lucky that we didn’t open the door to watch a coyote carry our little dog away!! Prior to that night, and now finding this blog, we had no idea there were coyotes in the city. Needless to say, we are keeping a close eye on our dog now!

What Cheryl did is exactly what the experts advise you to do if you see one – it’s good for both humans and coyotes to have them keep their distance. (Other advice is here.) P.S. WSB’s four-plus years of coyote reports, some with photos, are archived here, newest to oldest.

BlairJ January 5, 2012 (11:42 am)

In the last week I have twice seen a coyote cross SW Henderson Street in the 1400 block, both times entering the same yard.

Lolaleah January 5, 2012 (1:13 pm)

We live near Shorewood elementary in burien. There are cayotes that spend a ton of time under our house which is on a ravine. I’m pretty sure they are the same pack that I hear about in arbor heights. My kitty stays inside.

Melissa January 5, 2012 (2:13 pm)

This morning around 9:30am I saw a coyote running down the middle of California Ave in front of Spiro’s then turned west into the neighborhood. I’m assuming it was the same one that Cara’s husband saw. Not something you expect to see after dropping the kid off at school…

SoTrue January 5, 2012 (10:42 pm)

Who cares! Cats roaming free r much worse than coyotes, so unless something terrible happened, please stop posting about meaningless sightings. People driving cars cause more trouble and no one wants to hear about every car sighting, right!