Coyotes, and lots of other animals, all in Cromwell Valley Park

So, many of you probably know this, but the coyote population has been growing in Maryland as the animals expand their range from west to east. They now are certainly in Cromwell Valley Park.

Indeed, this migration is a fascinating thing. Taking advantage of the changes to their environment made by human activity, the coyotes have moved east--and they've bred with wolves while doing that. (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/08/0806_020806_coyote.html)

http://www.nature.com/news/rise-of-the-coyote-the-new-top-dog-1.10635

This is bad news for the red fox population, as coyotes tend to take over the habitat, and force the foxes to the fringes of their territory.  (http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1039&context=coyotesw. https://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/f2013/eidensch_matt/interactions.htm)

And as you can see from the photographs below, there is now at least one coyote in Cromwell Valley Park. These photographs were captured on the west side of Minebank Run, about 120 meters north of the Sherwood Farm Bridge.

There is a report of another coyote sighting recently in the park. If any of you have any photographs or sighting reports, I'd like to see them. Perhaps we can get some idea of the population numbers, and whether or not there is breeding activity  occurring.

It's going to be fascinating to see what happens in the future.

Coyote's aren't the only animals active in the park. There also are red fox, raccoon, deer, squirrels, rabbits, robins, northern flickers, and mourning doves.

Enjoy the pictures.

And don't forget to go outside and play.

Invasion of the squirrels

You will recall that we had photographs of an Eastern Screech Owl in its box. Sadly, a squirrel, undoubtedly a Grey Squirrel, has moved in and displaced the owl.

In the photograph below you can see what has happened. The squirrel has stuffed the box full of leaves; so many leaves that the front of the box has burst open. It's hard to discern from these photographs but the squirrel has actually turned the entire mounting pole and  box about 90 degrees. That's a lot of force.

Meanwhile, back at the stream....

A beaver was sited in Minebank Run recently. It will be fun to see if it takes up residence. And the bluebird boxes are ready to go for another season of nesting. That's always fun.

Soon the Orioles will be here--human and avian.

Go outside and play.