Meet Your Montrose Beach Neighbor

Thank you to reader Bill Biederman for his photos of a beautiful wild coyote, taken near The Dock restaurant at Montrose Harbor on Friday afternoon.

Coyotes are everywhere in Chicago, with at least 500 tagged and tracked within the city limits. Despite this large population, however, according to the Urban Coyote Research Project, "There has not been a single coyote bite or attack reported on humans in northeastern Illinois."

Unless a coyote is aggressive or fearless, the best advice is to leave them alone. Don't approach them, or leave food out, or let pets run free. See "How To Avoid Conflicts With Coyotes" for more information.

Given the proximity of this guy to the Montrose Dog Beach, we'd recommend taking your pups to to Puptown instead for a few days.

Close Encounters Of The Coyote Kind

There've been many coyote sightings in Uptown, usually in the cemeteries, parks and other open spaces.  They're all over the city, and we've documented quite a few Uptown residents' encounters over the years.

A reader wrote us to tell of a rather startling encounter Wednesday morning:  "One of our neighbors saw a coyote on our property this morning at 42-- N. Kenmore, while out walking her dog. Thought other pet owners might want to know about it." 

According to this article in Chicago Magazine about urban coyotes, they almost never attack humans and rarely attack pets... but they're still wild creatures and you should keep your pets out of their way, and give them a lot of respect and a wide berth.  They mostly eat our garbage -- yet another reason to encourage your neighbors to chain their dumpsters closed and to not overload the corner trash cans with house trash.  It not only attracts rats, but coyotes as well.  If you have a smaller pet, like a cat, please don't let it run free!

Coyote Spotted In Bird Sanctuary This Morning

Photo from 2013, of one of a pair of coyotes frolicking in St. Boniface Cemetery
as cars drove past not fifteen feet away.

We know by now that there are urban coyotes throughout Chicago.  We've gotten a lot of reports of them in Uptown over the years.  They generally avoid humans, and studies show their major diet is rodents and birds, not trash or housepets.  They may be bold (I'll never forget one standing in the middle of Fullerton in front of Whirlyball last winter), but they don't enjoy human interaction much. A scientist estimates that there are roughly 2,000 coyotes in Chicago, and that human Chicagoans are growing to accept their presence.

So a warning from a reader if you're coyote-wary:  "Just wanted to let you and your readers know that a big coyote was spotted in the bird sanctuary this morning between Montrose Harbor and The Dock at Montrose Beach. A fellow walker warned me when she saw me walking my dog; then I saw two huskies chasing it back into the sanctuary.  I don't think it'll approach people; just wanted folks to be aware of their surroundings."

Social Distancing: Sharing Graceland With Its Wild Residents

With the lakefront parks closed due to the pandemic's social distancing requirements, many have taken to walking and biking through Graceland Cemetery & Arboretum. Photographer Bill Biederman was there last week and came across one of Graceland's few living residents. He was gracious enough to share his photos with Uptown Update.

Coyotes have lived at Graceland for decades. They tend to be shy and avoid all interactions with human visitors. Many commuters have seen them romping around the grounds, observing them from the el that runs above the cemetery's east wall.

If you do go to Graceland and come into proximity with a coyote, remember that it is an unpredictable wild animal and predator. Do not approach it; do not attempt to feed it; and do not try to pet it.

There are between 2,000 and 4,000 coyotes living in Chicago, and it's a relationship based on mutual respect and keeping a safe distance. Attacks by coyotes on humans are extremely rare, but any wild animal, when confronted with an uncomfortable situation, is not safe to be around.

Thank you to Bill for sharing his photos of this beautiful untamed creature. It's probably as close as any of us should ever want to get to one.

If you decide to visit Graceland, remember that it is the final resting place for the loved ones of many people, and it is privately owned. We are there as guests and need to abide by its rules.

Rosehill Cemetery in Edgewater recently made the decision to deny access to the public because of people who treated it like a public park. There were parties; loud music; drinking; dogs running off-leash; and kids using the monuments as playground equipment.

In response to such loutish behavior, the owners of Rosehill locked the gates and made the decision that visits to the cemetery are now by appointment only.

We would hate to see the same thing happen at Graceland.

Click here for a list of Graceland's rules.

• Enjoy the gorgeous grounds as spring flowers emerge; 
• stroll and jog and bike; 
• enjoy the history and the monuments; and
• hope for a socially distant coyote sighting.'

But please don't be the reason Graceland closes its gates to visitors.

Coyote Run

When the solid grey walls of St. Boniface Cemetery came down, to be replaced with a wrought-iron fence that allows the cemetery to be seen, we didn't anticipate that what would be seen are some of the many urban coyotes that call Uptown home.  A reader snapped these photos Thursday evening during rush hour.

Coyotes are everywhere, and given that fact, it's very lucky for everyone that they are benign neighbors.  Certainly they eat small prey, so keep your min pins and Yorkies leashed, and keep your cats indoors.

But coyotes don't like a lot of interaction with humans, so if you happen to come across one in the park or strolling down the sidewalks -- and chances are that someday you will -- give him the cold shoulder and he'll happily do the same to you.  If they're in a pack, definitely steer clear, and God knows, don't ever corner one, because they are wild animals who will attack when they feel threatened.

Here's what they eat.  According to the Urban Coyote Project, "The most common food items were small rodents (42 percent), fruit (23 percent), deer (22 percent), and rabbit (18 percent)."  Birds and raccoons score pretty high as well, as does grass.  So you can see why the parks and cemeteries appeal to them, and that ripping apart humans and dogs doesn't remotely figure into their daily schedule.

They're here, don't fear, get used to it.

Roadie Coyote

We've heard from readers who've seen coyotes in Graceland Cemetery, Sheridan Park and even at Truman College.  Now they're hanging out near Cricket Hill in the park (just north of Montrose as you enter Lincoln Park). 

A reader writes in:  "Just wanted to share a bit of information with my Uptown neighbors and fellow dog owners.  Walking in Lincoln Park around 4:30 this evening on the East side of the 'hill', my dog alerted me to a coyote out for a trot.  While it looked healthy and uninterested in my dog, I just wanted folks to keep their eyes open and pets in sight.  He was heading South, perhaps to hang out with the Trixies?"

They most likely won't attack people, but if you have a smaller dog, it may look like a hors d'oeuvre to one of them coy-otes.  Please remember to observe the leash laws.

Coyote Wild

(photo credit: Anonymous)

 

A reader sent in a picture of two coyotes around Clarendon and Agatite from yesterday morning. We also heard from another reader that an announcement was made at the Disney magnet school cautioning students regarding the coyotes. Be careful out there folks.

June 13th: Next Edition of Uptown Saturday Nights

From Uptown United:

• HEADLINER! Mouths of Babes in Concert
  7pm-9pm, Preston Bradley Center (941 W. Lawrence)  
  Mouths of Babes is Ty Greenstein (Girlyman) and Ingrid Elizabeth (Coyote Grace). Their sound is equal parts celebration and blues, folk and soul, salve and anthem and together they successfully juggle harmonies, guitar, bass, foot percussion, cajon, banjo, harmonica, and ukulele from song to song, inviting the audience to join the choir, and engaging listeners with sentiments that range from heartfelt to hilarious. For more information on Mouths of Babes, visit http://www.mouthsofbabesmusic.com/bio
• Uptown Walking Tours starting at Shake Rattle & Read
  2pm , 3pm and 4pm, 4812 N Broadway 
  Hosted by Chicago Greeters of Choose Chicago, enjoy a cultural and historic walking tour of Uptown's Entertainment District.
• Spoil Me Designer Trunk Show and Fashion Walk
  2pm-6pm, Spoil Me Salon (4668 N. Broadway)
  Fashion Designer Trunk show featuring 5 top Chicago Designers
• Kreyol Roots
  6pm-7pm, (HAMOC) Haitian American Museum of Chicago (4654 N Racine)
  A journey through the music & instruments of the Haitian culture.
• Sandra Antongiorgi in Concert 
  10pm-midnight, Caravan (4810 N Broadway)
  Born into a Puerto Rican family, Sandra's bilingualism and heritage transcend deeply into her music. She has proven herself to be a nimble lyricist who delivers unique and seductive performances, gathering influences from traditional Caribbean sounds, Soul, R&B, Rumba and Gitano music, creating her own expression of a World, Latin, Neo-Soul sound. www.santongiorgi.com. Caravan will provide an appetizer and drink menu for concertgoers.

Also on Saturday:

• Jukebox Hero
  Midnight-4am, Uptown Lounge (1136 W. Lawrence)
  You can be the DJ with Uptown Lounge's Jukebox until closing!
• Kiss Kiss Cabaret at Uptown Underground
  10pm, Uptown Underground (4707 N. Broadway)
  This long-running burlesque variety show is an audience favorite! Every show is a wild mix of hilarious hosts, quirky musicians, and incredible variety performers! To purchase tickets, visit www.uptownunderground.tix.com

Wile E!

Cemeteries are pretty much heaven for urban coyotes. No predators, many acres to roam, very little human contact, plenty of water, and lots of small rodents and vegetation to snack on. Both of Uptown's big cemeteries have coyote families who are rarely seen by visitors (see the exceptions at  St. Boniface and Graceland here). Reader MDS was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of this guy last week.

You can read more about Chicago's coyotes here, including Conflict Avoidance and What Coyotes Eat.

They eat rats, so they are aces with us.

More Coyote Sightings In Uptown

From Chicago Magazine

Many readers have written about seeing and hearing coyotes in Uptown's open spaces, like the cemeteries and parks, but this is a sighting in a more crowded area.  Please keep your dogs on leashes, and keep your cats inside.

"I was walking my dog just moments ago, at the same time as my neighbor was walking his dog, and we saw two wild coyotes roaming the streets of Uptown.  They were on Malden heading north toward Sunnyside, on the way to the concrete park.  My neighbor was rightfully cautious to warn me, as wild canines can be scared and hungry, and might attack a person and or domesticated animal if they are approached or feel threatened.  I just wanted to inform you that 311 was notified to call Animal Control and Rescue.  Please advise readers to watch their animals and children, and to steer clear of these coyotes if they come into contact with them."

According to this article in Chicago Magazine about urban coyotes, they almost never attack humans and rarely attack pets... but they're still wild creatures and you should keep your pets out of their way, and give them a lot of respect and a wide berth.  They mostly eat our garbage -- yet another reason to encourage your neighbors to chain their dumpsters closed and to not overload the corner trash cans with house trash.  It not only attracts rats, but coyotes as well.

We Are Not Alone

Plenty of creatures roaming around.  Uptown's famous for its peregrine falcons.  And of course the many, many bunny rabbits everywhere.  We're still pretty freaked out by the Wilson Avenue coyote from last winter.

Just this month readers have sent in photos of these visitors:

in Buena Park

"Was surprised to see a deer hanging out in our backyard
on the 1400 block of Winnemac this Memorial Day weekend!"