Sightings vs. Possible Sightings
So a big part of this project is finding coyotes in places where they have never been found before. This leads to a few challenges regarding sightings, especially those without pictures.
On the one hand, if we get a report of a coyote in, say, Suffolk County, at this point in time it is probably a mistake and the person likely saw a dog or a fox. In other words, if you are skeptical and bet that a un-documented sighting is not a coyote, you will probably be right.
But on the other hand, the entire point of this project is to observe coyotes colonizing Long Island, and at some point people will start seeing them and at that same point, the skeptical guess will end up wrong.
So how do we know if someone is legitimately seeing one of the first coyotes in their region or someone made a mistake?
If you can get a picture, that is the best way for us to make sure one way or the other. But sometimes pictures can be unclear, or at night, or the animals is too far away, etc. I would also say that under no circumstances should anyone try to approach wildlife or lure them closer. Coyotes are far less dangerous than dogs, but trying to get close to wildlife or enticing them closer with food is how problems arise! "Trying to" get a good picture means include staying still and quiet while in or near the woods and keeping a camera ready.
We are also following up on as many coyote sightings as we can (this will kick into gear this upcoming fall and winter) by speaking with respondents, going to the site and looking for sign, and when possible, setting up a camera.
We do not want to discourage anyone from submitting a sighting if they really think they have seen something. But we will likely have to follow up and might have to score your sighting as unconfirmed or "probably a fox" or something like that until we can get more evidence.
So -- do your best to get familiar with the different species and common ID "pitfalls" (see http://www.gothamcoyote.com/p/report-sighting.html for the basics) and try your best to get a picture within the bounds of ethical and safe behavior.
Comments
Looks like this project is just getting started, but I look forward to hearing more about it!
Hi all. I am a NYSDEC licensed trapper. I've been LIVE trapping (100% humane) for 30 years, in 6 states and have been a wildlife photographer for 25. I presently own and operate a wildlife removal & rescue business in East Hampton. I cover an area from Southampton to Montauk Point (you can't go any farther). The purpose of this comment is to clarify some misinformation you are posting. We do have a recorded Eastern Coyote in the Hampton's and it is far from a mistake, a dog or a fox. Simply contacting the NYSDEC Stony Brook office would have given you that information, or perhaps googling Coyote in the Hamptons would have returned two very detailed and confirmed sightings (both the same coyote) of our resident coyote who has been sighted often over the past several years. I've taken a dozen photos myself, and a local farmer in Bridgehampton took one from about 5 feet away(out of his truck window), during the day, while eating a game bird. One of my shots was the cover photo in the East Hampton Star in April 2014. You may as well put a pin in the east end for multiple confirmed sightings if you want to be thorough. The DEC has all my photos as well as their own from their trail cameras. I'd be happy to show you a few. They will take the "Possibility" out of your theory. You have my email and are welcome to reach out. Thank you.
Thanks for the info, we aware of the hamptons coyote; it is not on the map because no one on inaturalist has submitted a sighting and a picture. This map is for residents and locals to add their own sightings. Please feel free to do so.
Please see this blog post:
http://www.gothamcoyote.com/2013/07/second-confirmed-coyote-sighting-on.html
Biologists don't officially extend the range of a species until that species is successfully breeding there. In that regard we say coyotes have not truly established themselves on long island, and we know of no successful dens on LI. But the purpose of this study is to find and collect such events, they will surely happen eventually, with the help of locals seeing things on the ground.
We'd love to hear more about your sightings and whether this guy has been seen since 2014. Will send you a message shortly.
Wow @livetrapper, sounds like you'd be a valuable and awesome contributor to this community given your depth of experience! I have nothing to do with this coyote project but please feel free to reach out to me for help with iNaturalist in general. :-)
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