West Seattle wildlife: Skunk, coyote sightings

| Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Two wildlife sightings from the WSB inbox – first, from Nancy:

3:00 AM – 36th SW in Admiral area Friday night/Saturday morning. Our dog went crazy barking in house. Turns out a large black/white skunk had taken over our backyard. Anyone else report a skunk in the Admiral area?

We don’t hear much about skunks, but the state has a “coexisting with skunks” webpage with handy advice, if you’ve encountered them – see it here. We hear much more often about coyotes, including this report this morning shared by Chris from SoundYoga (WSB sponsor):

6:45 am, walking my dog going north on 37th, and a coyote loped by us at 37th and Juneau on the opposite side of the street. We looked at each other but he seemed on a mission…

The state’s “coexisting with coyotes” info is here; our archive of West Seattle coyote-sighting reports (some with photos) can be browsed, newest to oldest, here.

squareeyes October 3, 2010 (10:53 am)

Brave and well-fed coyote sighted on two different holes at West Seattle Golf Course around 11am yesterday. He didn’t pay any attention to us and we weren’t all that far away. He was beautiful.

Michelle October 3, 2010 (10:58 am)

We are Nancy’s neighbors, and we first saw the skunk crossing the street Tuesday evening about 9 pm. Another neighbor just told us that he saw the skunk last night in his backyard, with his cat. He said they seemed to be ignoring each other. We’ve had a terrible time with raccoons this year; they rolled up the grass almost every night. They finally seem to have let up – and now we have a skunk!!

Noelle October 3, 2010 (12:04 pm)

We don’t hear about skunks very often! How odd to have one wondering about all alone! Happy no one got “skunked” & needed a tomato juice bath!

JumboJim October 3, 2010 (12:58 pm)

As far as I know skunks are normally fairly solitary critters, so seeing one alone isn’t a concern. I used to have one that visited my patio at night when I lived in Federal Way.

cjboffoli October 3, 2010 (1:18 pm)

Just a little skunk trivia: For the Wampanoag indians of Southeastern New England, skunk was an important food source. They had a special procedure for removing the powerful musk glands so that it didn’t foul the meat. And they found that the skunk meat paired very well with cranberries (which they had in abundance). But somehow this food recommendation didn’t go over as well with the Pilgrims as did another item from the Wampanoag’s tasting menu: wild turkey and cranberries.

RJB October 3, 2010 (1:53 pm)

Could you imagine Skunk for Thanksgiving….um, no.

cathyw October 3, 2010 (2:15 pm)

Don’t mean to go OT but @cjb – I grew up in Wampanoag territory. Loved it, but never ate skunk! :)

toddinwestwood October 3, 2010 (3:30 pm)

Could this be a lost pet skunk or runaway Chupachabra snack?

islewrite October 3, 2010 (4:39 pm)

I live near the skunk sighting and awoke to odd “chirping” around 3 am as well. Turned out to be two raccoons frolicking in Belvidere Park (“Tin Can Park” to us old timers). In short order they crossed Admiral (at the corner!). Luckily no cars came as they made their way to the north.

Sue October 3, 2010 (4:52 pm)

I was driving down the street when I lived in northern NJ one night, and there were about a dozen skunks hanging out on a street corner. I drove really fast past them in case they decided to gang up on me. :)

I’ll admit I miss the tell-tale scent of skunk that let you know they were roaming in your yard. They were everywhere there and in NY. Of course, I’d feel differently, I’m sure, if I’d ever been direct recipient of their scent. From a distance,it’s not bad.

mj October 3, 2010 (7:31 pm)

My neighbor (Andover and Charlestown area) just mentioned seeing a skunk recently. I heard raccoons chattering or squabbling a few mornings ago (around 3 am). Also heard what must have been a coyote howling not too long ago (about midnight). Saw a coyote on Charlestown too. What a wild area we live in!!