Image Copyright Withywindle Nature Programs
Last Wednesday was a freezing cold day, but I wanted to get out and get some exercise despite the weather. So I went for a walk, but instead of heading out on the roads I wandered down to the sand parking lot to see if there were any fresh tracks to explore. I was pleased to discover several trails of coyote tracks going both to and from our soccer fields (I work at an outdoor center) and started backtracking a set to see if I could get a sense of where the animals were coming from when they headed to the field.
The trail took me to a brush pile under our zip line – something I had never given much thought to, other than to lament it’s messy appearance on the challenge course. I started exploring the brush pile and discovered that as it was added to by our maintenance staff, they had created deep crevices that would make excellent denning sites for larger animals. The openings were well hidden from view, and tough to get to as they were deep in the pile. I didn’t want to get too much closer in case they were inhabited and I startled any residents. It is especially important in colder weather and in mating season when animals are expending extra energy to not disturb nesting sites. It adds unnecessary stress to animals at a time when they can afford it least, and might prevent them from using that site again – an additional stress if they are raising young who would need to be moved.
I moved away and continued to explore the area for another few minutes, but due to the cold temps my
Photo copyright Withywindle Nature Programs, 2012
fingers were already quite numb and my toes were going the same way. I needed to either get on with my walk or head back indoors – I chose to start a brisk walk to burn off some more energy, but made sure to take some pictures of the tracks before I left – these are definitely the best photos I have of coyote tracks in my collection.
The photo to the right which is of a trail of tracks shows two tracks of near equal size side-by-side. Coyotes are what trackers call “direct-registers”, meaning that when trotting, the hind foot directly registers on the track of the front foot creating a very neat almost single-line trail. Tracks in a two-by-two pattern like this either indicate two (or more) animals moving together, or possibly a side-trot. Usually with a side-trot you see a difference in track size – the smaller hind track beside the larger front track. I’ll need to go back and take measurements, but these tracks appear quite close to the same size and exactly next to each other – a side-trot trail is usually staggered somewhat. I’m leaning towards my initial guess of multiple animals traveling together (breeding season starts in a few weeks), but I’ll have a more educated guess after I get some measurements.
Interesting..I have seen a coyote around here as we are kind of a suburb/more rural area, and I love to find tracks in the snow..so far only rabbit, raccoon..etc.. The animal that came in and really cleaned out the pond area was a mink and I didn’t know we had them here. Amazing..carried off the muskrats and cleared out the waterfowl nests. The only time I have seen Canada geese really scared if by the appearance of the mink swimming toward them…These animals are so interesting..Michelle
Weasels are so amazing – I didn’t know a mink could/would take a muskrat. But the smaller weasels are definitely known for taking prey that’s close in size to them, so I guess it makes sense – they’re fearless! Nice to know that Canada Geese are at least smart enough to be wary of mink. 🙂
I called the NY DEC and was told that mink are common here in western NY and they were fierce predators. I watched it carry the dead muskrat and her offspring out of her den and down the pond. No water fowl nested successfully that spring. My neighbors didn’t believe me until I produced photos. I was at once awed and chilled all at the same time.
Awesome – not many people can say they’ve watched such a powerful predator at work.
I take a morning walk about 4 times a week up by the city-owned golf course. NOT in the course, but up on the dirt roads around it. There is a pair of coyotes who sit up on a ridge and look down upon me and I’ve now seen them for the last 3 mornings. I used to walk the other way and never saw them…probably walked right by them, but I switched directions and now I see them often. We keep our distance. HOWEVER, I’ve heard that the cooks at the restaurant nearby throw out scraps for them…sigh…I walk alone. Should I be concerned?
~~Cheryl Ann~
http://desertsandbeyond.blogspot.com
Any wild animal that associates humans with food should be given a wide berth. While coyotes are normally fairly shy around people, those that have learned that humans=food can be unpredictable.
Any chance of talking to the restaurant and letting them know that feeding coyotes could create a dangerous situation?
Oh, I’m really enjoying looking at your photo of the footprints! I’m just learning about prints and I have a LOT to learn!
Thanks! I love tracking… I hope to get a small guide put together from my tracking photos over the years, but at the moment they’re scattered about! Thanks for visiting!