Coyote in the Broadlands??

Hey - My neighbor called and said that a coyote was sighted by another neighbor yesterday (Saturday) on Ridgeway - towards Highview Trail Place. :scaredeyes:

This neighbor has called animal control to come out and take a look/description of the animal. Quote from neighbor - "Either Coyote or REALLY mangy dog..."

Have there been any other reportings/sightings in our area?

Please post if you hear anything. Thanks!

 

We have several in Ashburn Farm. It's a treat to see them, rarely are they out during the day. Very skittish, and haven't caused any problems. They've been here for years. We can sometimes hear them at night in the summer, they should like a babies cry.

 

My rational side says "not to worry - part of nature" - but my neurotic mommy side sees a wild coyote running off with my little tykes.

Just not comfortable seeing tooooo much wildlife near my home - although I know they were here first.

 

Coyotes have migrated eastward from the west, their arrival in Virginia and the eastern seaboard is relatively recent. But it was/is human development out west that has caused the migration and adaptation. Regardless, you have nothing to fear of coyotes (do not mistake them for the larger grey wolves).

 

We haven't seen one, but have heard the distinct cry at night during the summer. We are over off of Glebe View and it was before the new houses were put in near the corner of Glebe and Broadland Blvd.

 

Yes, A Coyote in Broadlands

We live on Glebe View Drive, and had a coyote in our backyard several times last Sunday. A neighbor up on Scara had it in their yard on Monday. Animal control sent someone out on Monday to try and trap it, but couldn't catch it. It was definitely a coyote, very mangy looking. Animal control said if it had mange, it would be very dehydrated and looking for water.

It was not scared of me or my husband. I shook a can of coins and yelled at it, but to no avail. The only thing that worked was my two sons making a really high-pitched shrieking noise. It immediately ran when they started doing that!

We have been on high alert since last weekend b/c it came very close to the house, was hanging around our playset. We back to woods between Glebe and Belmont Ridge Road.

I would recommend letting kids know that they should shriek in a high-pitched tone if they are outside and spot it nearby (and to get inside, obviously). Also, keep your trash and pet food inside.

 

Re: Yes, A Coyote in Broadlands

this sure gives me comfort while i'm out walking my dog on the boulder glen (??) path near glebe view! yikes! i will keep a look out.

 

i know that fox use a screaming cry as their mating call (sounds like a human scream). use to freak me out when i lived in the wooded area of sleepy hollow. they have coyotes fox and deer there on the norm. Just be careful if you have small dogs you leave out by themselves ie. fenced in yard.

 

Re: Yes, A Coyote in Broadlands

Just curious, why is animal control trying to trap it?

 

Re: Yes, A Coyote in Broadlands

My guess is that the county prefers that coyotes are not roaming around in densely residential areas.

 

I bumped into a coyote on a late night walk this summer in Brambleton. It got to within 30 feet of me before it noticed me. After a quick glance, it very quickly changed direction and was out of sight in a flash. It was very exciting to see it.

 

We walk alot in Broadlands, everyday/night, and we've seen them on occasion. They're quickly run away.

 

Just a guess, but they may have wanted to make sure it didn't have rabies or something since it was not scared of humans (or large dogs barking at it).

 

My parents live in Fla. in a residential area similar to Broadlands (suburban with some wooded areas). There were no coyotes living there when I was growing up, but as they migrated west, they appeared. First they took out the entire wild peacock flock. Then they started with small pets. My parents elderly cat was killed by coyotes. Their neighbor across the street found the fur and collar, that was all that was left. It is my understanding that it is rare that they will go after children, but there was a report in the last couple of years of one going after a small child at a park (I forget what state this happened in) and a nanny saved the child. I worry about my kids, as well as my very small dog.
One thing I've read is to raise your hands above your head to make yourself appear bigger and then make loud noises to scare them off.

 

I did just that, raising my hands over my head and yelling (I read that in an article about coyotes a while back), but the one in my yard didn't budge. It just stood and stared at me. I think that's why animal control came b/c it wasn't scared of anything except my kids shrieking.

 

Re: Yes, A Coyote in Broadlands

Kind of like a distressed rabbit? Wonderful idea!

Come to think of it, we have way too many rabbits down here on Vestals Gap so if any of you see another Coyote, please ask it to eat some of them.

 

Yes, coyotes have also been spotted in Countryside/Cascades, Reston, and other surburban areas in N VA. One of our friends (who lives in Reston area), spotted a coyote (looked like a small German Shepard dog or so they thought) near their wooded area behind their home.

We also have seen coyotes in our area near our farm land. They are becoming more known because of the encroaching housing in their former territories. Just be careful with your kids and pets.

Foodie

 

Re: Yes, A Coyote in Broadlands

Right, because we were here first, and they should go away.:rolleyes3:

 

Re: Yes, A Coyote in Broadlands

Kind of like the Indians.

 

Re: Yes, A Coyote in Broadlands

Well it was the Indian's own fault -- being on our land first.

Note to all natives: Try not to find yourself located between an expansionist nation and a coast line.. your future does not bode well.