WEST SEATTLE COYOTES: Noontime sighting

If you think coyotes only come out at night – think again. We just received that video from Rose in Gatewood, who reports, “At noon today we saw a big coyote walking down 39th Street next to Peace Lutheran Church between Thistle and Rose, going north. Got very close to someone walking their dog too and seemed pretty fearless.”

We’ve had daytime sightings before in our 15 years of coyote reports (scroll through the archive here), but they’re far outnumbered by nighttime/early morning sightings. Here’s succinct advice on what to do if you encounter one – most importantly, experts say, don’t run from it.

11 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE COYOTES: Noontime sighting"

  • ltm mgm January 23, 2025 (1:31 pm)

    A North Arbor Heights person posted they saw a neighbors of theirs cat get taken by a couple of coyotes this morning.  PLEASE, PLEASE keep your cats inside night and day.

  • Chris January 23, 2025 (3:08 pm)

    We like the way the coyote took off when you made the noise,   Thanks for sharing.   We are sharing with our neighborhood.

  • Marianne January 23, 2025 (4:32 pm)

    I read an article recently that mentioned coyotes in SF are eating food that people typically eat. I wonder if they may be getting into garbage or finding leftover scraps.

    • WSB January 23, 2025 (5:06 pm)

      That’s part of the standard coexistence advice in the various infosheets to which we link – removing access to potential food sources including unsecured garbage (and bird feeder spillover, and unattended domestic animals, etc.) …

  • anonyme January 24, 2025 (6:15 am)

    Looks like the crows were keeping an eye on the visitor as well.

    • ltm mgm January 24, 2025 (8:23 am)

      Anonyme, I noticed that too, the crows. They are very smart birds, they know the coyotes aren’t a domesticated dog. Good job! 

  • Resident January 24, 2025 (7:01 am)

    There was a quite healthy one I saw back in Nov/Dec – no real fear of me and most likely would have attempted to get my little dog had I not yelled at it, waved my flash light beam in it’s face etc. – with all the bunnies, human food out for various reasons – they are adapting! Pack animals, so if there’s one, there’s more.   Used to be dens back by the AH Pool – so any greenbelt, creek etc. is also a haven.

  • Curt January 24, 2025 (12:07 pm)

    I’m glad we have animal control to help take care of these pests. 🙄I certainly wouldn’t be upset if a few went missing

    • WSB January 24, 2025 (1:23 pm)

      “Animal control” – aka Seattle Animal Shelter – does not deal with wildlife.

    • Robert January 24, 2025 (3:27 pm)

      Good luck trying to catch them, they are way too fast, smart, and paranoid.  But feel free to adopt one and bring it home.  

  • Admiral-2009 January 26, 2025 (10:32 pm)

    I saw one running down the middle of 39th and then turn east on Lander towards the Fairmont Ravine, it looked healthy!  

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