Wild photo tweeted to us by @JoshGFlood yesterday morning:
“deer roaming around 24th & Virginia, NW”
wildlife
According to the National Park Service:
“Are there coyotes in Rock Creek Park?
YES- The first recorded sighting in the park was in May 2004; they were confirmed by park staff in September 2004. Sightings have been recorded continuously since 2004. Most of the sightings have been in the upper section of the park between Military and Wise Roads. Several sightings have been reported in the neighborhoods adjacent to the park as well. Presently, there is no estimate of the population size in the park but the number is believed to be small.
Are they dangerous to people?
Coyotes generally are not interested in confronting people, even small children. Of course, parents should always keep an eye on children while in the park, but coyotes pose no special danger. They are usually not aggressive toward humans unless humans attempt to feed or interact with coyotes. While there are reports of coyotes attacking and killing a person, these types of incidents are extremely rare. Remember, coyotes are wild animals. They can be seen during the day, but they are most active in the evening and at night when the park is closed to pedestrian visitors.
Are they dangerous to pets?
MAYBE- Coyotes will hunt house cats and small dogs. However, if your pet is leashed (as DC and National Park Service regulations require) and you and your pet are on a trail (as Rock Creek Park regulations require), a coyote will likely not try to attack.
What should I do if I see a coyote?
You can stop and watch, but do not approach it. As with any wild animal, if it feels threatened by someone coming toward it or chasing it, it may feel the need to protect itself. DO NOT FEED or attempt to feed them. Once a wild animal gets accustomed to being fed by humans there is much more likelihood that an individual will get bitten by an animal looking for food.
If you see a coyote in the Washington, D.C. portion of Rock Creek Park, report the sighting to Resource Management Specialist Ken Ferebee at 202-895-6221. Let Ken know the date, time and location you saw the animal. Try to be as specific as possible. Leave your name and phone number so Ken can call you back if he has more questions.”
Every year we get video and/or photos of ducklings crossing the street – it will force a smile on even the most cynical among us. Props to @caroljoynt (Carol Ross Joynt, Washingtonian Editor-at-Large) who tweets out:
“Make way for Georgetown ducklings – the cutest video you’ll see all day”
Awesome.
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I love these sightings – thanks to a reader for sending these. In November we saw a fox dining in Pershing Park downtown.
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Photo by PoPville twitter follower @jdsonder
Thanks to @jdsonder for tweeting us this great photo from the Sculpture Garden on an otherwise gloomy day.
Last week we learned that if you see a bee swarm, don’t panic call the DC Bee Keepers. And that’s exactly what one gardener did at the Newark Street Community Garden in Mclean Gardens. I was walking by on Saturday and one gardener explained to me that when a hive gets too big another queen is spawned and they take half the hive:
The swarm was set up just outside the established hive. Sadly I didn’t get the gardener’s name but on the Cleveland Park listserve they say: “Two members of DC Beekeepers Alliance, Kate McLynn Andrew Hullinger, carefully collected the swarm and gave them a hive to live in.”
Also gotta give props to the gardener as he set up a peremiter around the swarm and was super concerned about their welfare. Glad it all worked out for these guys:
And remember – if you see a swarm call (202) 255-4318.
Photo by PoPville flickr user angela n.
Bird Watching is a go for Sunday May 4th at 8am. Please email me at princeofpetworth(at)gmail to confirm if you are going (and just in case I need to email you to cancel due to rain.)
From the folks at The Nature Conservancy:
“Theodore Roosevelt Island
Overview
Washington’s monument to our 26th president is hidden away on a 91-acre wooded island accessible only from the Virginia side of the river. Roosevelt Island offers several habitat types: hardwood forest, tidal marsh, and wooded swamp. There are trails running around the island, including a boardwalk through the marsh. This memorial site and surrounding land are managed by the National Parks Service, whom we partner with to achieve conservation goals in the Potomac Gorge.
What To See A good day in winter can produce six woodpecker species on the island. Other wintering species have included fox sparrow, winter wren, hermit thrush, and brown creeper. During migration, one can see a diverse array of warbler species, including prothonotary and yellow-throated warblers, both unusual for DC. In summer look for herons, osprey, and terns. Watch for red-shouldered hawks and wood ducks year-round.
Directions (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw
Ed. Note: I’ve recently been accused of sensationalizing my headlines. All I’m gonna say is I coulda made this one a lot better…
From DC Department of Health:
“The following animals resulted rabid from test results received April 15, 2014. The count of animal rabies in the District for year 2014 is 14 thus far:
Raccoon –1-yr old female, had young, and brain trauma, was found walking slowly on 4/4 at a resident’s yard at the 1400 blk of Webster St. NW in Ward 4.
Raccoon – 1-yr old male was killed by resident’s dogs on 4/7 at the 700 blk of 19th St. NE in Ward 5. Dogs will be placed on quarantine.
Raccoon – 1 old male, thin, with brain trauma and found non responsive and dying on 4/12 at the 4000 blk of 24th St. NE in Ward 5.
Raccoon – 1 old male, thin, with brain trauma was found sick and unaware on 4/10 at the 3000 blk of South Dakota Ave.NE in Ward 5.
Investigation is still pending on any animal or human exposures. Information shall be sent out electronically to the area residents via the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Engagement.”
Thanks to a reader for passing on:
“Hi all —
Hope you all don’t mind this swarm reminder again!
It’s FINALLY Spring, and we beekeepers are at least as happy as you are about that. The weird weather has created a situation where we believe, now that it is warm, that survivor bees in the wild are likely to build up quickly and swarm, and WE WANT THEM!
Because of losses nationwide, many new, trained beekeepers are having a hard time getting bees, and these are probably the best possible bees they could get. We could really use your help if you see a swarm of bees which we could catch and give a safe place to live.
If you see a swarm of bees, or even think you might, please call (202) 255 4318 or email dcbees at dcbeekeepers dot org — and we can get an experienced beekeeper over there quick to help you out. Insecticides truly will not take care of your situation, but we can.
The news on bee health has really not changed since last year. We are fighting climate, pesticides, pests, habitat loss, pollution and lots of the things that challenge human health, too. DC turns out to be a place where lots of folks make pro-pollinator, pro-environment choices, and we are so grateful to you for that! Please help us create more survivors.
Please remember: honeybees are under extreme threat, and those swarms represent the unique populations that have not only figured out how to survive pests, pesticides, and climate change, but THRIVE. We beekeepers can grab those bees, give them safe homes somewhere else, and help ensure a healthier future where honeybees can continue to make our food supply and green spaces grow. It is a kind of compliment to DC that we have a place where honeybees and people can collaborate so well.”
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Photo by PoPville flickr user innocentsabroad
Remember the menace of ’99? Looks like they’re plotting their revenge…
UPDATE @salimfurth tweets us:
“Pretty sure it was a groundhog. We saw it from both sides up close, and it had no beaverish tail.”