Coyote sighting in Ballard

UPDATE 07/06: After posting this article, another spotting was made of two coyotes on Sunset Hill, “about 34th and 70th NW… around 10:30 pm.”  Coyotes followed the readers for about a block and a half and appeared unfazed by efforts to scare them off.

UPDATE: After posting this article, we received two emails from residents with sightings. One was spotted just this morning (Monday) at NW 85th St. and 30th Ave NW. Another reader said she spotted two a couple weeks ago, “at 5 a.m. walking casually down 17th Ave between 75th and 73rd.”

Original post: Coyotes have been spotted twice in Ballard recently. We received a note this morning from a My Ballard reader that there was a sighting on 75th and Earl in Ballard. It’s not uncommon for coyotes to be attracted to areas like ours, where there’s plenty of food around and relatively little threat.

According to the Humane Society, it’s important to prevent coyotes from feeling “at home” in the neighborhood. The organization recommends hazing, which can help maintain their healthy fear of humans to avoid them showing up at your next barbecue.

If you happen to see a coyote in your neighborhood, the Humane Society stresses that you should never run away; instead, yell and shout at it until it completely leaves the area. They also advise keeping pet food and pets inside at night.

This isn’t the first time they’ve been seen prowling the ‘hood; twice last fall we had reports of coyotes in Ballard. In September, one was seen in the Loyal Heights Community Center parking lot, and in November a reader shared his story of seeing two coyotes attack a cat near Golden Gardens.

For helpful resources about coyote behavior and what to do in case of an encounter, read this from the Humane Society about coyote hazing, and this informational page from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

If you have any Ballard coyote experiences or sightings you’d like to share, email us at tips@myballard.com.