Tracking Coyotes & Wildlife in Naperville / Since January 2010
Naperville neighbors who reside in the Buttonwood subdivision, not far from
Green Acres, have expressed their desire to raise awareness about coyotes
prowling in their residential neighborhood from dusk to dawn.
Increased sightings and reports about missing pets have raised some
concerns about the coyote population from the Garden Plots along West
Street to Springbrook Prairie and around the retention ponds in neighborhoods just north of 75th Street all the way to Aurora Road near the Naperville Public
Safety Center and Safety Town.
Naperville resident Debbie Shaughnessy called to see if PN had seen the
residents comment about the coyote population during Public Forum at
Tuesday, Jan. 19, City Council meeting. She requested that PN seek
comments from the community regarding coyote sightings and to begin
an awareness campaign.
Advice from Animal Control! Learn to co-exist.
Do not feed wildlife! (Deer, coyote, ducks, geese, squirrels, rabbits, red fox, chipmunks live among us.) Do not leave food for pets outside. Clean up bird seed that falls from feeders. Always watch pets outside, especially small dogs and cats.
If you scroll down to the bottom of the page, you'll find the commentary by
dates since January 20, 2010. The most recent comments are first.
Also, PN has included two local Web sites with information about the nature
of coyotes in these parts.
July 2
A coyote ran along Sanctuary toward Rickert Road about 8AM.
June 30
Two coyotes were spotted near Ogden at Aurora roads
Yesterday I spotted a pair of small scrawny/mangy coyotes in the parking lot of Jewel-Osco (Ogden Ave & Aurora Rd...near the Naperville Public Safety Building). They were fast-moving...heading west along Aurora Ave and ran across the street onto the Volkswagen Dealership lot on Aurora Ave. I lost sight of them after that. Now that I'm aware of those coyotes prowling in my neighborhood, I'm afraid to continue my daily jog/exercise in that area.
Thanks so much for reporting and raising awareness about coyotes in Naperville.
Sincerely,
JS
Editor's Note: According to Animal Control, coyotes rarely attack humans. Yet evidence is that urban coyotes are beginning to lose their natural fear of humans, which is heightened by people intentionally feeding coyotes. Again, do not feed any wildlife or leave food for pets outside. Always watch small children and small pets when at play outdoors.
June 4
Small coyote spotted walking across Aurora Avenue just west of Meson Sabika, headed toward Green Acres about 3PM.
May 30
Two red foxes were caught on film playing in the open yard around the church between River Road and Berry Court following the deluge of rain that stopped the Memorial Day Parade. (See photos of foxes at right.)
May 27
Large coyote scared resident in Buttonwood while walking dog after midnight, having just returned from her last night's shift.
April 13
Coyote spotting was reported in West Wind Subdivision in daylight
Debbie Shaughnessy alerted PN at 6:30AM, Tues., April 13, that a small coyote was near the garbage cans at the end of her driveway when she went out to pick up the Daily Herald.
"I must have startled it when I shut the door because it ran out of the cul-de-sac toward Sequoia," she said. "I'm wondering if it was attracted to our neighborhood today because it's our garbage pick up day."
Shaughnessy noted that she's observed that some residents are installing invisible fences this spring in the neighborhood and other new neighbors have young children. She's hopeful everyone will spread the word to always watch small pets and children when they are outside to keep them safe.
During the past two weeks, other residents in Countryside and West Wind have reported coyote sightings, too.
Shaughnessy first contacted PN in January regarding a campaign to heighten awareness about the coyote population that co-exists with residents. Animal control urges residents to cover tightly all foodstuffs outside in garbage cans, do not feed wildlife and never to leave small pets or young children outside unattended.
FYI: Coyotes mate for life, usually breeding once a year between January and March. Females carry their young for over two months. One to 12 pups are born in either April or May.
March 20
Here is the TV segment on Youtube.
Well, I know there have been incidents for many years in Knoch Knolls, but I'm not sure folks bothered to report them.
---Ed Teune
March 9
We moved back to Naperville three years ago from Warrenville. Everything I
bought and planted that first year was eaten up by rabbits. I swear, there were
millions. My one neighbor sprayed his plantings with some kind of animal urine
spray, my neighbor across the way trapped and relocated the rabbits, and my
husband took (some intiatives).
Last year, we had almost none. In addition to having a pair of hawks in our back trees, we have seen the coyote. I have seen it numerous times in my back yard as well as walking along the side of my house and across the street in front. My one neighbor said there is a pair of them. I am not complaining. My yard and landscaping looked great last year! I live in the West Moser Highlands and I share my back yard with Linden Oaks. You didn’t mention us in your article.
Coyote sightings are a topic of conversation on occasion at Elmwood Elementary amongst the mothers. I will also have you know that there is some sort of coyote drill at the school and it goes in to effect if staff sees a coyote out whilst the children are on the play ground. Can you imagine!? If you’re interested in a good story, I can tell you about the one whereupon my puppy was out back trying to play with the coyote. True story. Thanks for your time.
---Shannon Sanders, coyote witness, Naperville, IL
February 16
FB Report Charles L. Koch Great video! Looked like a very healthy yote.
February 16 at 9:17pm
FB Report Roxanne Lang Those were some BIG coyotes!!
February 16 at 7:48am
FB Report Charles L. Koch I've seen lots of what I believe are coyote tracks
out at Knoch Knolls lately. Several weekend hikes out there lately and I've
captured (photographed) deer, hawks, and beaver but i have yet to see a
coyote. I heard them one night at sunset, but that's as close as I've come.
February 16 at 9:09pm
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February 15
Positively Naperville FB Ed Teune just sent a video of a pair of coyotes hunting voles in broad daylight near McDonald Conservation Farm just a few blocks from his Knoch Knolls house. Here's hoping this cut and paste works! Thanks, Ed!
Coyote catching and eating a vole on a farm near my house (Video featured on Positively Naperville FB)
FB Report Ed Teune I spotted a pair of coyotes doing some vole catching on my way to work this morning. It was so cool to watch them leap and pounce then snatch up these voles, they just trotted across this farm, working the field together, it was a really beautiful site.
Coyote catching and eating a vole on a farm near my house (Title of Video for search)
FB Report Ed Teune Just last week I got video of a pair of coyotes hunting voles in broad daylight. I parked my car in the driveway of McDonald Conservation Farm just a few blocks from my Knoch Knolls house, and they were hardly spooked. ... Usually we only see them at dawn and dusk and they run away or hide. These two didn't seem bothered at all by human presence. I have to say they were very beautiful.
February 15 at 4:16pm ·
FB Report Dennis Sully Sullivan That coyote looks pretty well fed....the ones I see in Oswego are much scrawnier
February 15 at 7:14pm
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FB Report Dennis Sully Sullivan nice video also
February 15 at 7:17pm ·
FB Report Grant Wehrli Went for a walk out at Knoch Knolls on Friday and saw two playing in the snow. Before I could get my camera out of my coat the faded into the woods!
February 15 at 8:44pm
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FB Report Jon A Ripsky Looked like a yearling, sure not as mangy as the ones in my yard. Good job on the video.
February 15 at 8:59pm ·
FB Report Daniel Bulley I've see them from two different houses I've lived in here. Several years ago on Prairie Ave. All the time in Wil-O-Way. On a full moon we often are woken up by one howling outside our window. Two summers ago the kids were in a tent in a back yard. Two coyotes were howling outside the tent and they could see them silhoutted against the side of the tent!
February 15 at 9:50pm
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FB Report Robin Martin Wow, spectacular! Poor vole, though...a far cry from seeing the coyote trotting down I-88 in the median next to rush-hour am traffic. a few months ago...
February 15 at 10:14pm ·
FB Report Lynn Engel Twice today the coyotes in the Springbrook Preserve were wildly screeching and howling. Obviously attacking something! You have to be very careful with your dogs and cats. Please don't take a chance - it can happen so fast!
February 15 at 10:22pm
FB Report Stephanie C. Penick A FB fan/friend taped a video of coyotes down near Knoch Knolls. You'll find it posted on FB at "Positively Naperville." Yes! The coyotes live among us. Just don't feed them. You'll see. They can find food.
February 15 at 11:03pm ·
February 14
FB Report Jo Gustafson Lundeen I read today's article (Sunday) and one of the dogs attacked was a Wheaten Terrier!! Yikes! That's what Annie is! We are sure on watch for his return these days! She probably told him to stick to rabbits! We'd all like that!!!
February 14 at 10:52am ·
February 10
Daily Herald reports on Wheaton's plan to thin coyote population
Debbie Shaughnessy called PN early on February 10 regarding the front page headline in the Daily Herald, "Coyotes days are numbered."
Readers of PN and this Web page will recall that Shaughnessy started an awareness campaign last month regarding the presence of coyotes in Naperville after two women expressed their concerns before City Council.
Since then, she's been keeping track of local sightings and concerns of residents who have contacted her about missing pets and confrontations with the fast-moving, high-jumping wild animals. Coyotes are increasingly more bold as they become comfortable co-existing with residents on the prairie, she said. Shaughnessy and her friends are especially concerned about young children on playgrounds, as coyotes, sometimes in packs of three, have been spotted near parks, just south of 75th Street.
PN continues to receive e-mails and contact on Facebook regarding the coyote population in Naperville. For starters, animal control advises never leave food outside for pets, never leave small pets unattended in the yard, and never feed wildlife, including deer.
Shaughnessy continues to record the location of coyote sightings in Naperville, trying to determine if the population is growing or if they are the same pack. Contact her at (630) 961-3282.
Naperville Animal Control can be reached via (630) 420-6666, ext. 3.
FB Report Stephanie C. Penick Today's top headline in the Daily Herald says "Coyotes' days are numbered," citing a plan to thin the population in Wheaton. Awareness is a start. Never leave pet food outside or feed wildlife as the fast-moving animals have become bolder and more comfortable co-existing with us on the prairie.
February 10 at 10:01am ·
February 9
FB Report Jo Gustafson Lundeen Annie and our Winding Creek coyote had a confrontation. Annie, who never goes out of the yard, ran into the park when she saw it and scared the crap out of us!
Luckily when she got to him, he turned toward her and she ran home. He
hasn't been back!!! Maybe she was telling him something!
February 9 at 10:13am
Positively Naperville Debbie Shaughnessy received more than a dozen calls the first afternoon she started keeping track of local coyote wanderings and confrontations. Updates will follow about their speed, ability to jump 8' fences and symbiosis. We've noticed fewer rabbit tracks in the snow this year.
February 9 at 12:03pm ·
February 1
Thanks to Debbie Shaughnessy for alerting PN to residents' concerns about the boldness of coyotes in residential neighborhoods. See the story on PAGE 31 of the February PN. News reports on Friday indicated the curious small "prairie wolves" that can run 40 miles an hour and jump 6 ft. fences are out and about more in Wheaton, too. The best thing to do is be sure no food stuffs are left outside. Don't feed wildlife in the winter, spring, summer or fall that also will attract coyotes. If your pets are small, be careful about leaving them outside alone, especially from dusk to dawn.
FB Report Nancy Houghtby As we continue to build south and east of Naper Blvd and Bailey, we are forcing the wildlife to find other sources of food and shelter. We have an abundance of skunks and possums in this area. Sometimes makes it difficult to sit outside in the evening, these animals are not very afraid of people.
February 1
January 31
FB Report Deb Valstad-Lund Coyote's and other wild animals have been making their way into the suburbs because we provide a source of food. Also the increase in rodents since the cat leash laws were put into effect provides natural food for the higherups in the food chain. Have you noticed the amazing increase in birds of prey? It's very entertaining to watch "wild Naperville"
January 31 at 9:15am
FB Report Deb Valstad-Lund Coyote's and other wild animals have been making their way into the suburbs because we provide a source of food. Also the increase in rodents since the cat leash laws were put into effect provides natural food for the higherups in the food chain. Have you noticed the amazing increase in birds of prey? It's very entertaining to watch "wild Naperville"
January 31 at 9:15am
I read the blog on coyotes. Some time ago I looked at the Springbrook II Creek watershed with Brook McDonald, Dawn Banks and Bill Novack (and others). It's a hodge-podge of owners and types of maintenance/flow, although it's considered to be one of the better quality streams in the area, especially since the flooding from the old K-Mart/Venture parking lot has been alleviated by the down-stream ponds. It is probably one of the courses the coyotes follow in seeking prey/food.
---Ron Ory
Editor's Note: Ron Ory provided the map of Springbrook II Creek watershed that has appeared in February and March issues of PN.
January 30
Positively Naperville PN hit the streets today... Ever since, Debbie Shaughnessy says her phone has been ringing off the hook with reports of coyote sightings (not sure how that happens with a cell phone) ...Awareness is key! ... Don't feed wildlife—intentionally or unintentionally... Keep garbage cans tightly covered... Watch small pets ca...refully when outside... One man reported that two coyotes occasionally visit his backyard and "play" with his retriever... Pay attention... We live on the prairie... Here's to more sunny days and good news.
FB Report Mike Weyhrich This is quite surprising to read this about coyotes in Naperville. Lived in Naperville in the early to mid 1970's and lived on Bailey Road (before it connected from then Barkdoll Road--Naper Blvd--to farther east) when the houses there were new. The first two years we were there, there were no houses south of us. Just open farm fields for as far as you could see, add neither ourselves or our neighbors ever had any trouble with coyotes. Only field mice everywhere.
I thought it was just us in Southern California who had coyote trouble.
January 30 at 11:43pm
FB Report Tonya Miller Wentz a few weeks ago we had a coyote hanging out on our wicker furniture on our porch in Buttonwood...seemed very comfortable there?! we called animal control. They came and tried to scare away, but it kept coming back...haven't seen it for a few weeks though...officer told us unless it posed a direct threat to people, there was nothing they could do. :(
January 30 at 8:36pm · Report · ·
January 21
FB Report Cathy Smith Not this year yet, but certainly last fall ~~ in the downtown area by the beach!!
January 21 at 2:19pm ·
FB Report Richard Caldwell wow i never saw one growing up there but i see them everyday here
January 21 at 2:21pm ·
FB Report Cathy Smith yup.....just like everywhere else, suburban sprawl has forced them from their natural habitat.....they are everywhere!! i have a friend who lives in one of the new sub-divisions off of 95th street, and a coyote jumped her neighbor's fence and swept up her little dog....just that fast!! :-(
January 21 at 2:25pm ·
FB Report Richard Caldwell yes they are hungry so they come in looking for food
January 21 at 2:26pm ·
FB Report Richard Caldwell i have to watch my dog constantly
January 21 at 2:27pm ·
FB Report Cathy Smith i have an owl that sits in my backyard tree regularly (looking for squirrels and chipmunks) and have seen redtail hawk several times sitting on the corner of the garage!! and i do worry about my neighbors with small outside pets!! awwww....but i enjoy seeing them, especially right downtown!!!
January 21 at 2:44pm ·
FB Report Cathy Smith i have a family of foxes that live under the shed in my backyard every winter/spring (for the last four years)
~~ same pair ~~ 9 kits last year!! they are a hoot to watch in the springtime!!
January 21 at 2:45pm ·
FB Report Colleen Feeley Abrahamovich we have a single coyote in our back yard every morning.... Winding Creek subdivision.
January 21 at 4:26pm ·
FB Report Monica Reed We have a coyote in Brookdale that likes to walk down our street at around 7am. Not surprising though since we are close to McDowell.
January 21 at 5:47pm ·
FB Report Jackie Harris Doorn I just saw one yesterday. He was brave enough to wonder out to the busy highway, 75th st. I was surprised to see him! It was between Rt 59 and Modaff. I would need a map to narrrow it down. Near the brush land area. He came out towards the street!
January 21 at 6:46pm ·
FB Report Jo Gustafson Lundeen We saw him along 75th by COD heading toward Buttonwood!
AND in Winding Creek Park last weekend!
January 21 at 6:56pm ·
January 20
Have you spotted an increase of coyotes in your Naperville neighborhood lately?
The other day while visiting a friend in Green Acres, PN commented about how active the police and fire sirens had been that morning when the streets were so icy. My friend noted that a pack of coyotes lives nearby and every time they hear the sirens, they howl.
And that led to a conversation about the coyote population in the area.
Naperville neighbors who reside in the Buttonwood subdivision, not far from Green Acres, have expressed concerns about coyotes prowling in their residential neighborhood from dusk to dawn.
Increased sightings and reports about missing pets have raised concerns about the coyote population from the Garden Plots along West Street to Springbrook Prairie and around the retention ponds in neighborhoods just north of 75th Street all the way to Aurora Road near the Naperville Public Safety Center and Safety Town.
In addition, Debbie Shaughnessy called to see if PN had seen the residents comment about the coyote population during Public Forum at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. (Tuesday evening this City Council Watchdog was spellbound by the televised election results in Massachusetts, so we missed the mothers who expressed their concerns.)
"I had this idea that maybe PN could help us raise awareness and see if other neighborhoods are seeing more coyotes," said Shaughnessy.
“A lot of people out walking have seen them about dusk,” she said. “They even jumped over a six-foot fence. I know they were here first. And they’re supposed to be skiddish. But they don’t seem to be scared of people anymore when they travel in packs, and that’s what’s got some neighbors worried, especially ones with small children."
The folks who monitor animal control are not convinced the coyote population is growing. The animals are simply more active, more aggressive and less fearful as they become accustomed to the folks sharing their habitat.
Wildlife experts suggest taking a few precautions to discourage the opportunist eaters who scavenge for food. For instance, never leave pet food outside, secure trash containers, clean up spills from bird feeders, keep cats indoors and accompany small dogs when they go outside.
Again, never feed wildlife, whether deliberately or unintentionally. Clean up all food outside.
Shaughnessy and friends are curious if residents in other Naperville neighborhoods are spotting more coyotes these days than in the past. If you have information, contact Shaugnessy at (630) 961-3282.
Editor's Update: Feedback on Facebook at "Positively Naperville" is appreciated. So far, readers have reported sightings of coyotes in Buttonwood, Winding Creek, West Wind, downtown Naperville, Countryside, Hobson West, along 75th Street and in Brookdale. One reader even commented from Oregon and another from Bolingbrook! Posted Jan. 22, 2010
Web sites / Additional information...
DuPage Forest Preserve District of DuPage County / BASIC INFO
Chicago Wilderness Magazine / Wiley Neighbors / Click on "Back Issues" / Find Winter 2001 for coyote feature titled "Wiley Neighbors."
Naperville Animal Control: (630) 420-6666, ext. 3. Animal Control Online INFO
About 10 years ago, friends of the Naperville Riverwalk, ducks and geese initiated a campaign asking families not to feed waterfowl breadcrumbs,chips or any foods for human consumption.
Feeding waterfowl does more harm than good to ducks and geese that may appear to enjoy bread crumbs.
To help all wildlife get back to nature, stamped messages along the Riverwalk low flow walkway remind visitors not to feed the animals. Simply search "Do Not Feed Wildlife" online for dozens of Web sites that serve to educate nature lovers about the hazards of feeding ducks, geese, coyotes, deer, etc.
Thanks for teaching your children and other youngsters about the best practices for feeding wildlife.
Thanks again!
Web sites / Additional information...
DuPage Forest Preserve District of DuPage County / BASIC INFO
Chicago Wilderness Magazine / Wiley Neighbors / Click on "Back Issues" / Find Winter 2001 for coyote feature titled "Wiley Neighbors."
Naperville Animal Control: (630) 420-6666, ext. 3. Animal Control Online INFO
Naperville News Blog
This red fox and his buddy were spotted along Berry Court near the Naperville Safety Center at 1PM, Mon., May 31. Every time PN got close enough to get a good shot, the two animals ran.
This red fox and his companion in the photo at the top of this page were spotted between River Road and Berry Court near the Naperville Public Safety Center at 1PM, Mon., May 31. Every time PN got close enough to get a good shot of the two animals together, they split up and ran.
Help us protect all animals by not feeding them.
Who are the real endangered animals?
by Barbara Blomquist
PN Columnist
Posted July 21, 2010
Growing up in a large city the only wild animals I regularly saw were squirrels and birds – usually pigeons, sparrows, and robins. Living near Lake Michigan, seagulls are added to the mix. So I never thought that living in a suburb, with sidewalks and nearby neighbors, would have such an abundance of wildlife.
It seems that as the human population increased, the animals did likewise. I have seen deer grazing on my birch, foxes, woodchucks, raccoons, opossums, geese, ducks, owls, hawks, egrets, and coyotes. Birds nesting in our tress are commonplace, but the duck under the rose bush in the front yard and the robins on the (artificial) wreath by the front door are something else.
How many remember the duck that nested in a planter outside of Colonial Restaurant a few years ago? Talk about lack of privacy!
Residents of rough neighborhoods are concerned about two-legged animals; we have more to fear from four-legged ones.
Take the “family” we had removed from our window well -- it is a good thing I didn’t water the plants on that side of the house because momma skunk might have thought I was going to harm her and her six little babies.
Discovery Channel has a documentary series about what the Earth might be like if humanity no longer existed.
From what I can see, mankind in populated areas is already in danger. We are in danger from their spray and scratches, their lice, mites, various parasites, and rabies.
We don't need them for food, we cannot hunt them in our cities, and we feed them with our gardens, garbage, and occasionally our pets. Some wild animals are not afraid of us anymore, but it is wise for us to be afraid of them.
It's a jungle out there!
