West Seattle, Washington
22 Friday
Mid-afternoon wildlife break! First, the top photo is from Felicia, who’s looking for ID help:
I live along Harbor Ave, close to the West Seattle Bridge, and (Tuesday) night I’d been getting up to look out the window all evening to check out the snowfall. A little after 10 pm I saw this guy on the wire just below my balcony. He hung out for a while and let me take some photos. The cars below didn’t seem to bother him, he even seemed to watch them go by. He looked up at me a few times, when my camera made noise, and finally flew off. Beautiful! I did a bit of research and believe he was either a spotted or barred owl. If anyone can tell for sure, I’d be interested in which one. It was an unexpected and amazing moment to share the wonder of the quietly falling snow with this beautiful creature.
Next photo is our latest reported coyote sighting, sent yesterday morning by Paul:
Paul explained that was “a Fairmount ‘yote (Wednesday) morning getting back on the street after taking to the brush to get around me.”
Quick note about a pre-dawn coyote sighting today, from David:
Just saw a coyote running south down California turning east on Edmunds, 5:45 am – it looked to be moving as fast as it could go.
We have three years (and counting) of coyote sightings archived here.
High Point seems to be a coyote hot spot these days. Sara sent news of the latest sighting less than an hour ago:
I was driving down 36th Ave SW (headed north) about 10 min ago and spotted what appeared to be a small coyote (heading south in the middle of the street) at Graham. Just checked the blog and didn’t see any other spottings. It was a tad scary, as 1) it was broad daylight and 2) we walk our dogs in that area frequently. Curious to see if anyone else spotted the lost coyote.
Wondering how to deal with coyotes – both when you see one, and in hopes you won’t? Here’s some advice.
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.)
ORIGINAL 3:15 PM REPORT: Just spotted by WSB co-publisher Patrick, who was driving, solo, and unable to photograph, a coyote running down the middle of California SW, southbound, at SW Holden in Gatewood (map). (He reported it as more of a traffic alert – since more than a few drivers had to slow down.) We suspect it’s off the main route now, as we just looked in that direction from California/Thistle and no sign of anything four-footed but a dog out jogging with its person.
ADDED 5:24 PM: From Jake:
Three West Seattle wildlife notes tonight: First, that photo from Creighton came with this explanation: “Found a red-tail hawk in my Genesee Hill backyard today, finishing up his breakfast of one very unlucky starling.” (9:04 pm update from comments – apparently a sharp-shinned hawk!)
Second, Guy Smith has just provided his second annual report on the arrival of brant – the small, white-ringed-neck geese – on West Seattle shores:
Our brant showed up just after noon today on winter solstice; nearly a month later than normal. Was their late arrival weather-related? Probably, but we don’t know for sure. This is only the second time in the last 17 years they have been this late. But to paraphrase from the brant story published last (November); “On this chilly, shortest day of 2010, our brant and their young winged into the shore north of Alki Point, made a pass, then banked south around the point to the waters along West Seattle, where they will winter and start their annual cycle again.”
Last but not least, a coyote report from Wendy:
I was on my way home on Tuesday night around 10 pm, driving up Marine View Drive. Just past the intersection of SW 106th I realized I was following a coyote that was on a dead run down the middle of the Drive. It turned down into the Arroyos on 42nd Ave SW, flew down the hill, and turned left onto SW 109th St, where I lost track of it. It looked healthy and well fed. There are quite a few cats in our neighborhood; I hope people keep them in at night!
Just in from Wendy Hughes-Jelen, most recently of the Kitty Cornered kitten-raising saga, a High Point coyote close encounter tonight:
Late-night dog walkers on Graham at High Point Dr [map] were followed by a coyote after the courtesy patrol followed it down an alley. It looped down a walkway and came back to follow us on our block. Sophia and I ran for the porch and Steve ran it off. I am a country girl and believe in coexisting with wildlife; however, this life is more urban than wild and the coyote did not show the appropriate shyness or fear of 2 humans and a dog on a short leash. If I used an 18 foot flexi leash like most people do and also we were not aware of where our dog was and where the coyote was things could be different. Courtesy patrol is what pointed it out to us as it stood at the mouth of an alley we had just passed 30 seconds before and the car came around the corner toward us and caught it in its lamps. It was large for its breed and clearly hunting.
(Sophia is the Hughes-Jelens’ Italian greyhound.) Meantime … 2 other West Seattle sightings reported in the past few days. From Shannon on Friday afternoon:
I was just doing dishes and spotted a coyote hanging out in Greg Davis park through my window at 1pm today. He isn’t spooked by passing cars or my dog barking. Just a heads up to all the dog walkers that use those trails and park. It’s the corner of Brandon and 26th. [map]
And from John at 51st/College (map) early Wednesday afternoon:
FYI: Just saw a very healthy-looking coyote emerge from the greenbelt and walk down the street before ducking under our neighbor’s hedge.
Several more coyote reports have come in over the past week, including two in the past 24 hours – read on to see where they’ve been spotted:Read More
Out of the WSB inbox, from Marian:
A pair of fluffy, well fed individuals were sniffing around our neighbors’ drive at the 1900 dead-end block of Walnut [map] this morning about 9:00. They didn’t seem to mind us gaping at them a bit!
We publish coyote sightings not as a warning, but as a reminder that they are more or less everywhere, even if you are somehow sure they can’t be in YOUR neighborhood. Here’s important advice about coexisting with them, and here’s our archive of previous reports you can scroll through (some with photos).
Usually, we hear about sightings. This one’s more like a hear-ing. From John and Joyce Loftus:
Last night at about 9:30 as my wife and I were getting home to our residence on Alki, we heard the unearthly sound of a pack of coyotes yipping and howling in unison in the greenbelt above our house — possible College Street Ravine. This is a symphony of sound that’s amazing to hear in a wilderness setting. It borders on the absolutely surreal when heard in the city. Of course, it heightens our concern for people’s pets.
As noted here over and over again, you can reduce the chance of coyote confrontations by reading and following the advice in this “coexisting with coyotes” info. And you can check out our archive of coyote sightings – some with photos – by going here.
Two coyote sightings to share – first one was a close call late Monday night toward the Fauntleroy end of The Bridge, and Kerry thought you should know:
We just almost hit a coyote as we were coming home from downtown at the top of the West Seattle bridge. He was trying to cross west to east but was flummoxed by traffic and the divider. This was right by the people statues. [Walking On Logs] Poor little guy ran back to where he came from. Neighbors in that area should be aware.
Earlier, Crista saw one in the Myrtle Reservoir vicinity:
There was a coyote in our yard early this morning. We are on 36th and Willow [map] close to the water towers and new park.
Previous coyote reports – some with photos – are archived here; here’s the “coexisting with coyotes” information that everyone should read at least once.
ADDED 12:44 PM TUESDAY: For the coyote record, got one more note, this one from Tim:
I saw two coyotes this morning on my way to catch the bus. They were running down SW Lander Street by 38th Ave SW. It was about 6 am and they were running fast!
Two photos shared this afternoon – obviously taken before the weather turned. First, Tom sent the top photo, taken at 12:45 pm in his backyard at 21st and Holly (map), observing, “That’s one healthy-looking coyote! He’s looking at our chicken coop…..” (Here’s info on coexisting with coyotes.) Next, from Gary Jones:
In the distance, looking over the top of Alki Lighthouse, Gary believes that was a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser under tow northbound, coming out of Rich Passage from Bremerton. Closer look:
We’re still researching in hopes of figuring out exactly what that ship was.
Two Make that three coyote reports in one day, from different parts of the peninsula – read on for details (including the third, sent after we first published this):Read More
Thanks to Cormac for sharing the photo. His note mentioned only “Highland Park” but we have a followup inquiry out to ask if he can provide a slightly more specific location. 11:20 AM UPDATE: Cormac replied and identified the location as “near Forest Lawn Cemetery” [WSB sponsor] which is more like “east of High Point,” so we’ve changed the headline. He also says he saw at least three in all. (Think you know all about coyotes? Here’s the “Living with Wildlife” link we always offer – including information on what to do if you find yourself too-close-for-comfort to a coyote.)
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.
Two bits of four-footed news: First, you might have seen signs – or searchers – 
looking for Toby the yellow Lab. He’s been on the WSB Pets page for the past several days, too, and a topic of discussion in the WSB Forums. This morning, we got word he’s been found. Grace, who recently adopted Toby, sends a big thank-you to everybody who helped look, saying they got lots of calls from WSB readers. We also just got word of another happy reunion, this one from a post to the Pets page early today. Hope you never need to use the Pets page, but if you find or lose a pet, it’s been there as a West Seattle-specific resource for almost three years now (e-mail lost/found pet reports, with photos if you have them, to editor@westseattleblog.com).
Also in the canine realm:
That photo’s used with permission from Byron , who posted it on his blog-format site for Textura Design, a creative agency in West Seattle. He photographed the coyote this morning near his Schmitz Park-area home and says he’s seen this one before. (If you haven’t read the advice for coexisting with coyotes, here’s the link we always share; our archived coverage of West Seattle coyote reports, including other photos, is here.)
Two wildlife notes this Friday evening. First from Sue:
Just a FYI, I saw a coyote this morning (7/16) 4 am at 35th and Manning [map].
And from WSB’er “Buddsmom“:
Coyotes aren’t the only wildlife that pet owners need to look out for. Last night at approx. 5:45 PM in the 108th block of Arbor Heights, our dog was bitten by a mama raccoon in our fenced back yard. Apparently, mama and babies were making their way across the yard when spotted by the dog and a chase ensued. Fortunately for both sides ,the raccoons got away and our dog suffered only superficial puncture wounds.
We often share the coexisting with coyotes link; here’s similar information regarding raccoons.
Out of the WSB inbox, from Michael:
I recently read about a coyote being spotted running at 37th and Juneau. Didn’t think it was possible, but this morning at 4:45am, I say one running down 38th between Juneau and Raymond [map]. I thought that was the last I would see of the animal but a few minutes later it came running back up the street in the opposite direction. If I weren’t for the fact I know they like to eat cats and small dogs, I’d welcome this bit of wildlife in our midst!
How to coexist with coyotes – read it here; past WSB coyote coverage – see it here.
From WSB Forums member BookGal, via e-mail:
I just witnessed a full grown coyote running up SW Juneau Street and head north on SW 37th Street [map]. Yes, in broad daylight! It almost looked like the crow was chasing the coyote and by all the very loud cawing, it was reading the coyote the riot act. I still hear a crow in the distance.
As always, here’s the “coexisting with coyotes” info; previous sighting reports are archived here.
2 coyote-sighting notes in the south half of West Seattle in the past 12 hours. First, from Dave in Westwood:
Got up @ 3:10 am to change a diaper … sleepily glanced out the window. Wasn’t expecting to see a coyote staring back at me across the street. Once it knew I had seen it, it ran down 34th toward Barton [map]. It also appeared like his/her left hind leg was injured, as it ran very awkwardly. Maybe that’s just how coyotes roll, but it didn’t move like a dog or wolf.
Next, from Kelly:
I’m almost positive I saw a coyote on Cambridge & 21st [map] @ about 9:20 pm. it was walking west on cambridge, I drove past, turned around to get another look, and it was walking into a woody area on 23rd. Run, kittens, run!
And that’s the point toward which we share these reports – in case you want to reconsider where your pet goes by itself, for example, if coyotes are seen nearby (and even if they’re not seen, chances are that they aren’t far). The state offers advice for how you (AND your pets) can co-exist with coyotes – read it here. (Previous sighting reports are archived here.)
2 quick notes for those keeping tabs: Early Saturday morning, from Sonia via Facebook, a coyote was spotted running south in the 6500 block of 42nd SW (behind West Seattle Thriftway in Morgan Junction); midmorning on Thursday, Marsha reported a coyote at 36th and Dawson (map). We publish these not as a warning, but as a reminder, if you think “Nah, not MY neighborhood” – they’re everywhere, and here’s how to coexist with them.
Two West Seattle coyote reports today. Kim e-mailed the longer one from North Admiral:
After a hiatus, North Admiral has a coyote in the neighborhood again. On Thursday in broad daylight, two neighbors walking west on Walker between 47th & 48th SW [map] saw a coyote walking tandem to them. Then the coyote sprinted ahead, turned and started walking towards them, turned again and ran away to the west. This might also account for the bite marks on our cat this week. Kitty will live, but small pet owners in the area need to be on alert.
Earlier, we got a quick Delridge coyote report via Twitter from Dartanyon:
Just saw a coyote sprint across Delridge from Chief Sealth [at boren] into Longfellow Creek!
Here’s the “coexisting with coyotes” link; here’s our archived coyote reports, reverse chronological order.
Out of the WSB inbox, from Crystal:
I noticed that the coyote sightings are being posted on the blog so I just wanted to mention that we saw one tonight. We were walking through the Pigeon Point neighborhood toward the school there and we saw one behind the fence, near the Duwamish trail. It ran away from us because we were walking our dogs, but looked pretty big.
If you missed it – our previous coyote-sighting report included a photo. And as always, we don’t publish these because they’re cause for major alarm, but because some still aren’t aware they’re among us; here’s the “coexisting with coyotes” link frequently shared here.
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