Coyote sighting north of Lincoln Park
They’re by no means rare, but when coyote sightings are brought to our attention, we pass them along as a reminder that you’ll want to make sure your pets are inside, etc. Just got a call from Pam, who lives along lower Lincoln Park Way, north of Lincoln Park, east of Lowman Beach (vicinity map), and says a coyote’s been hanging around behind her house for going on an hour now, so she wanted to make sure others got the word. (Past coyote reports, some with photos, are archived here.)
2 West Seattle sightings: Summer Fest games; “bold” coyote
(photo added 2:20 pm – note, they’re still early in the set-up phase)
Two quick notes re: e-mail we just received – First, Steve wrote to ask why video-game machines are being moved into the space that’s been open since Capers consolidated. Answer: West Seattle Summer Fest! Blinky’s Time Warp Video Arcade will occupy that space during the festival (Friday-Saturday-Sunday – read about it here). Second, a coyote alert – Michael just saw one on Genesee Hill near the now-closed school: “Bold as brass, trotting slowly up our driveway … sorry I was too slow to get a pic. Small pet warning!!” (All WSB coyote reports – some with pix and/or video – are archived here, newest to oldest.) ADDED EARLY THURSDAY: Going through e-mail from the incredibly busy holiday weekend, we realize that last Friday night we failed to add this (suspected) coyote report:
At 3:00 AM on July 3, a probable coyote (according to Animal Control, who said it was definitely not a raccoon) killed an orange cat between Walker and Hill on 48th AVE SW.
West Seattle coyote: “On his way to belly up to his buffet line”?
First coyote report in a while – Robert writes:
I took this shot of a brave coyote in my driveway, abutting the south side of Schmitz Park, this afternoon about 12:30 PM. He sure seemed confident while making his way to my trash can, as if he was on his way to belly up to his buffet line. Owners of small dogs and cats might want to take notice.
Our previously received coyote reports (some including photos/video) are all archived here, newest to oldest. Not sure what to do to coexist peacefully with them (as advocated by authorities)? Here’s a story we did last year.
West Seattle coyotes: Admiral-area sighting
As at least one group in attendance at today’s Sustainable West Seattle Festival reminded, the preferred philosophy for dealing with coyotes and other urban wildlife is coexistence, not panic or fear. That said, some find it helpful to know what’s seen where. So here’s the report Kathleen sent us last night about a coyote sighting in Admiral:
We are dog-sitting a little terrier and were surprised (Saturday) afternoon with a coyote that ran into the yard. It didn’t harm the dog, as my husband ran after the coyote, who easily cleared a 6 foot fence and ran into the neighbor’s yard. We live at 51st and Pritchard, one block north of Admiral. I wanted you to know because pets left unattended might be at risk.
Previous coyote reports published on WSB (some with photos) are archived here, newest to oldest.
West Seattle coyotes: Early-morning sighting at 35th/Thistle
Second one of the week, first one with a photo. Brian tells the story from 35th/Thistle (map):
Woke up this morning and let the dogs out to do their business and 5 minutes later I hear them barking like mad. Look out the back window and see this fella casing the joint. … While my dogs (and the neighbor’s too for that matter) would have turned this poor guy limb from limb, I guess I have to keep an eye on the cat! He looks hungry.
And that’s what wildlife experts say (state info sheet here) – while they counsel coexistence with urban wildlife, that includes keeping pets indoors. (WSB coyote stories/photos are archived here.)
West Seattle coyotes: Lincoln Park neighbor’s alert
(the coyote we spotted a year ago at Thistle/Northrop, a few blocks from this latest report)
Also out of the inbox, the first coyote sighting reported to us in a while – this one’s from Alice:
Keep your cats and small dogs inside, or protected. Yesterday, in the middle of the day, as i pulled into my driveway, a coyote walked casually across 44th Ave SW, @ 8200 block (map), and went into the greenbelt. This is just a few blocks above Lincoln Park.
Previously, our neighborhood lost many many cats, and at least one small dog to a hungry coyote. I believe they are nocturnal, so she must be hungry to be out midday.
All WSB coyote reports (including some with photos and video) are archived here, newest to oldest.
ADDED 5:44 PM: Another note that came in after we published this:
My sister lives in Snohomish. Her cat was killed by a coyote in broad daylight. They are not just nocturnal hunters. This happened at around 2pm, my nephew heard the cat screaming, etc. So, don’t be fooled, keep your pets inside.
And that’s what the experts advise as well, but they warn against other dangers to outdoor cats (cars, raccoons, other cats, etc.) too.
West Seattle wildlife: Coyote sighting at Jack Block Park
Thanks to Chris Weinmann for photos taken this morning of a coyote that he says is “stranded on the lookout at Jack Block Park. The coyote can’t get to you because it is behind the fence. It is very calm (probably cold and hungry) and has been there for hours now. I’m sure it is quite used to people stopping by, by now, too…”
Chris wasn’t sure if anyone had reported that it seemed to be stuck; he said he had no luck reaching Animal Control. We suggested a state wildlife hotline; meantime, we’re going over to see if it’s still there – it had to have GOTTEN there somehow in the first place, so perhaps it will find that same way out, if it hasn’t already. 3:30 PM UPDATE: Back from a visit to Jack Block (among other places). Checked the entire length of its viewpoints/overlooks and didn’t see any sign of the coyote.
West Seattle coyote sighting: First one in a while
For a while last year, coyote-sighting reports were coming in almost daily. Then – either the coyotes started keeping a low profile, or else people started getting used to them. At any rate, we got a sighting report tonight, so we’re sharing what Kim sent:
Hello, We live on 51st Place west of Edmunds St above Beach Drive [map]. Our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (a small one, just 12 lbs) went crazy barking this morning. As I looked out the window I saw a coyote. He/she (was) about the size of a German Shepherd. I had only let our dog in from being outside a few minutes before. Very scary, therefore I told the family Prince must go in his pen when outside. He has gotten used to a pen because of a close encounter with a raccoon last summer.
Previous WSB’er coyote reports (many with photos) are archived here, newest to oldest. State-collected info on coexisting with coyotes can be found here.
“Living With Wildlife”: Coyote, raccoon tips tonight @ Camp Long
A wild time at Camp Long tonight, as the “Living With Wildlife” presentation offered info about how to do just that – particularly so far as our two biggest wild neighbors are concerned, coyotes and raccoons. Both smart, both requiring specific behavior from all of us so that we can co-exist with as little trouble as possible. Read on for some facts and advice that might surprise you!Read More
Wildlife watch: Admiral District coyote sighting
Jessica wanted people in the area to know, so she sent this tonight:
Just saw a coyote crossing the street, 41st ave SW, a block from Metropolitan Market. Feeling afraid for kitties we spotted out.
Previous West Seattle coyote-sighting reports published on WSB are archived here. ADDED 11:56 PM: In comments on this post, Jenny mentioned a Lincoln Park sighting – she then sent us this photo:
ADDED THURSDAY AFTERNOON: Big Old Daddy sends word of another sighting:
Didn’t think to report this when it happened, but my son and I were at the kitchen table about 9 AM on Tuesday, Sep 2, when he spotted a coyote ambling down the neighbor’s driveway on SW Cloverdale near Fauntleroy Place SW. The coyote strolled up Cloverdale where another neighbor tried to scare it away with some pebbles. Last night yet another neighbor came over to ask if we had seen one of their cats – one who never misses a meal and may have become one. I’m pretty sure this is the same critter we saw lounging in a neighbor’s yard a couple of months ago.
West Seattle wildlife watch: “Unexpected” coyote
From Stephanie, southeast of The Junction:
So I was taking my dog out to do her business about midnight tonight and was waiting for a while. Then looked across the street and saw something moving in the dark. Looked a little closer and saw that it was a Coyote walking up the sidewalk. Knowing that my 4 lb. Yorkie was no match I quietly whispered for her let’s go. As I hurried up the stairs it took off. I was relieved it was not aggressive. Seemed to be spooked by us. I am located at 41st and Dawson. (map) I had seen the pictures on the blog before and it looked identical. Went back inside to get my camera and waited for a while but he was gone.
Just thought I would share it since I did not think anyone saw them in my neighborhood. But it seemed more scared of me then I was of it. I don’t think he was out to harm anyone. Clearly not hostile.
This post was officially the tipping point … we just went back and created a category for all posts about coyotes (which required adding the label to each previous one) … maybe someday we’ll finally get to that West Seattle coyote map! Find the coyote archive here.
West Seattle Wildlife Watch: 2 coyote sightings
Thanks to Bruce for that photo of what neighbors apparently know as the “local” coyote, which showed up last night in their back yard “just above the ravine in the North Admiral area on the 2100 block of 41st Ave. SW.” (map) His note landed in the WSB inbox right on the heels of a Delridge sighting — Dorothy lives at the sprawling West Ridge Park complex (map) and says she saw a coyote Saturday morning and again this morning. She added, “I’m concerned because many residents here have pets and small children” and wondered where to “report” it. As we’ve discussed here before, aside from this type of report, which we publish as part of the general WSB community info-sharing, there’s really no place to “report” coyotes under normal circumstances – they’re considered just part of the landscape – and just one of many reasons not to let small animals (cats etc.) roam alone (certainly there are many other threats to them) … local wildlife experts have a lot of advice about peaceful coexistence (don’t feed them, etc.) and you can find much of it, with handy links, in this WSB report from earlier this year.
West Seattle wildlife watch: Latest coyote pix and sightings
We suppose photos like that MIGHT bore us someday when coyotes are in residence at all hours in all front yards, back yards, parking spaces … but that’s probably a ways off. At least a week. Vanessa sent the photos a few days back, saying she’d taken them at 46th/Willow (map) a few weeks earlier (believed to be the same coyote shown here). We’d been looking for a timely excuse to run her pix, and got one this morning when another sighting report came in, this time from Pat in Fauntlee Hills:
Late last night my wife and I saw a coyote trotting down 39th Avenue SW near Henderson St. [map] walking south. A good reminder to keep your pets safe!
West Seattle coyote caught on cam, night-vision style
(video no longer available due to blip.tv shutdown)
Just before the site’s semi-surprise outage, we happened to be out checking out another fire call that didn’t turn out to be news. On the way back, headed up the hill from Lincoln Park – didn’t catch whether this was Thistle or Rose St. – we spotted a coyote poking around a house, pulled over, and whipped out the camera to capture the above-viewable video — low quality but kind of interesting just to watch the way the critter moves. (And the frames where it passes by the fake duck.)
Wildlife watch: Another post with coyotes AND an otter
Kayle sent that photo and this note:
6:30 am Sunday. We live in the ravine above Salty’s, up near Walnut in North Admiral. We’ve been hearing three coyote pups and mom at night … now they have been waltzing around our deck in the mornings! The pups look healthy, well fed and are bold. Watch your pets!
Then this afternoon, JC sent this:
Not sure that this is particularly newsworthy, but it certainly made my jaw drop: I was just driving up the north end of California Avenue, coming up from Harbor Drive at 2:43 pm. A little more than halfway up the hill, I had to stop for an otter which was loping across the road towards bay side of the street. There was a white pick-up truck coming down the hill who also had to stop. The driver and I exchanged astonished shrugs as the otter disappeared into the bushes.
In the previous reader-report wildlife post (which coincidentally mentioned coyotes and an otter), we noted you’ve got a chance tomorrow night to hear various experts talk about “coexistence with coyotes,” though you’ll have to go to Rainier Beach to do it. ADDED EARLY TUESDAY: Maybe you’ll see City Councilmember Sally Clark there. One of the newer entries to her official blog mentions her first-ever coyote sighting (she lives near Seward Park).
Two new coyote sightings, and another “coexistence” chat
(Photo of the one and only coyote sighted so far near WSB HQ, from April 2007)
It’s been a while since anyone’s e-mailed about coyote sightings. In the past 24-ish hours, though, we’ve received word of two, and that also provides a reason for a reminder about the citywide “coexisting with coyotes” forum next week. First, the sightings. Dale reports one early Friday morning “on the hill over Thriftway“:
They looked comfortable and well-fed, and our cat came home later. So all is good. They seem to like our pond. We’re a few blocks north of 39th SW ravine, (6700 block of 39th SW; map), and have a heavily wooded yard, as do our neighbors. Main point of the post is to let people with outdoor cats know, so they can respond accordingly.
Then from northern West Seattle, Burke e-mailed tonight: “Just met a coyote racing across the lower end of Fairmount. Looked like he had been pretty well spooked by something.” (Burke also mentioned seeing “the otter that finds it convenient to poop in the swimming pool at Harbor Park Condo. Just saw him ‘loping’ across the parking lot concealing himself under the parked cars as he went.”) Now, about that “coexistence” forum with info helpful for anyone in Seattle: It’s planned for Tuesday night at the Pritchard Beach Bathhouse in Rainier Beach (city news release here; map here). We covered the last one, in February in Magnolia (WSB article here).
Coyote reminder from Morgan Junction area
From Bob and Bruce:
Overnight, about 3:45 a.m., coyotes were heard yipping and yodeling in the Eddy St. ravine JUST west of California Ave. (Basically behind the soon to be Morgan Junction Park. Owners of outdoor pets need to be aware that this is still a “shared environment” and quite near Lincoln Park’s wild spaces.
That would likely be not far from where this coyote photo/video report originated.
Reader report: If you think your ‘hood is coyote-free …
Still letting your cat(s) run around, confident you’re in a wildlife-free zone? If so, you’re the reason “Mac’s Mom” wanted us to share her e-mail:
We are in the 4100 block between 44th and 45th [map], an area not particularly close to any green spaces. One month ago we found the remains of our family cat who had met a very violent end (at about 4AM – he put up quite a fight). Last weekend, our neighbors experienced the same loss. [Yes, we had told our neighbors what happened] I’m not sure how large a Coyote’s territory is, but we are evidently within one and wanted to let other folks in the area know that this is happening. While we’ve seen all of the warnings here on the blog, we disregarded them as we are so far from what we would consider to be “Coyote Habitat”. Please don’t make the same mistake we did!
It’s been said 2,005,894 times, there are many other good reasons to keep pets indoors too … cars, humans, other cats, other types of wildlife among them. For more on “coexisting with coyotes,” check out the info in our coverage of a city-organized presentation earlier this year.
Another coyote sighting – but this one’s hurt
(video no longer available because of blip.tv shutdown)
Toward the end of that video clip sent by a reader who lives just west of Morgan Junction, you can clearly see that the coyote in the clip is limping. Here’s a photo with a closer look at the coyote as it rests:
The reader tried calling the state Fish and Wildlife Department but couldn’t get through to anyone; it so happens that another reader had written us earlier this week about an injured coyote in what she described as “the Fauntleroy greenbelt” — not sure if it’s the same one — and while she did get through to the state, here’s what she was told:
Of course the Washington Fish and Wildlife said there is nothing they can do, we have to let nature take its course. Sad to say that as much as I do not like them in my yard, I felt really bad for the coyote, if it is serious he will likely die a slow death by starvation.
The Fish/Wildlife Department has a page with tons of info about coyotes and coexisting with them, but nothing about policy for dealing with ones that are hurt. We did find some information at the PAWS site advising calling in a “licensed wildlife rehabilitator” – the ones in this region are listed here; none are based nearby, and there’s no coyote-specific information to be found.
Another coyote caught on cam, and a side benefit
Not quite as clear as the set of coyote photos published Friday night, but “Seacat,” who blogs at seacat.wordpress.com, added an interesting side note that made us want to share the pic:
This little coyote is a regular visitor in our yard; this picture was taken right outside my home office window. Since he’s been hanging around, we don’t have a problem with rats at the bird feeder–which also means the variety of birds has increased. That’s not just the coyote, of course, but he fills out a tiny eco-system in our backyard wildlife sanctuary and things are improved with his presence. We live over by Lincoln Park, and welcome our coyote co-habitants. It’s all good!
Another West Seattle coyote caught on cam
Haven’t had any coyote pictures in a couple weeks – till these pix taken by Pam at Fauntleroy/Mills (map). She writes:
On our way to work this morning, we saw a coyote roaming on Fauntleroy at the bottom of SW Mills St. I called Animal Control, thinking they might take some action – but they were totally unconcerned and said that coyotes are all over the place in Seattle. (Ironically, we had just seen a news story this morning about a coyote who had dragged a two-year-old around by her head…)
A neighbor said she’s seen coyotes in Lincoln Park on occasion – but it was still really interesting to see one roaming in people’s bushes in our neighborhood. Watch out for your kitties and little pups!
As previously noted, the official government position is to promote coexistence, including avoiding behavior that will encourage coyotes to get too close to people for their good or ours; some tips are in this article we wrote in February. (The news story Pam mentions, by the way, is this one from the mountains east of L.A.)
very-long-lost pets, like Sacha the cat (left), who’s been gone almost a year and also stars in a new
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