My tt comment from january 2012

upso posted at 08:40:18 PM on Jan 03, 2012:
WOW, i had no idea we had coyotes around here!!!

also, has anyone heard about foxes in toledo? We've heard that there are foxes at Woodlawn cemetery but we've never seen them.

Red Fox

On multiple occasions, I have seen Red Fox at Woodlawn Cemetery. No dead comedian jokes necessary. The chap who played Fred Sanford spelled his name a bit differently.

I have also seen Red Fox at Metzger Marsh, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, and at the W.W. Knight Nature Preserve in Perrysburg. The ones at Metzger were kits that raised their heads up out of the rocks that separate Lake Erie from the marsh.

I was told that numerous Red Fox could be seen in the early morning at Willys Park, which is located next door to Woodlawn Cemetery.

At least twice, I have seen dead Red Fox along the side of I-475 between Jackman Rd and I-75. No surprise, since this spot is near Woodlawn Cemetery, Willys Park, a couple other parks, and the Ottawa River that meanders through that area.

I would say the best spot to see a Red Fox at Woodlawn Cemetery is in the northeast corner of the cemetery near Hillcrest Ave, beyond the grave sites where the cemetery is a bit more wooded with some open areas. The early morning is probably the best time to see one at Woodlawn.

The ones I have seen at Woodlawn scare easily. They will, however, venture into the open, and they will stop and stare at you, so remain frozen.

You should definitely try to see a Red Fox. This is a beautiful mammal.

Gray Fox

I don't know if Gray Fox exists in our area.

Coyote

Coyotes exist in every Ohio county. I believe an open hunting season still exists on Coyotes. I think Coyotes are mainly nocturnal, but increasing Coyote numbers and the need for food probably force some Coyotes to venture out during the day. And it's probably the reason why Coyotes move closer to humans where they can munch on pets and garbage. Get them to thin Toledo's rat herd, and I may be more accepting of them.

I have seen Coyotes in multiple areas near Toledo during the day. Each sighting involved a single Coyote.

In my opinion, Coyotes are not much to look at. They have a grungy, "I don't give a damn" look and attitude. Coyotes make me a little nervous. When I see one that's too close, I always wish I had a handgun. I'm assuming Coyotes only travel in packs at night and not during the day.

I would not go out of my way to see a Coyote. If you visit our parks enough, you'll see one eventually.

Coyotes, however, are interesting to hear. I've heard Coyotes howl at dusk along the lakeshore.

In the evening one early spring a couple years ago, I listened to several Coyotes howl or wail at Maumee Bay State Park. The fascinatingly creepy sound came from the campground. I stood west of the sledding hill, watching the male American Woodcocks perform their aerial flight dance for the ladies. Near dark, a loud crying and yelling sound rose up. I thought it was a little kid screaming. My first thought was definitely not a Coyote. But then another Coyote started wailing, and then another and another with some familiar Coyote sounds mixed in. Several Coyotes made these eerie wailing sounds. Each one seemed to try to outdo the other in loudness.

Roadkill

I rarely see dead Groundhogs along our roads. I see more dead hawks along the roads than Groundhogs. Most of the roadkill today seems to be Raccoon. Years ago, it seemed most of the roadkill were Groundhogs. I think the growing Coyote population has taken a bite out of the Groundhog population.

Badgers

Badgers exist in the Oak Openings Region southwest of Toledo. Badgers are nocturnal. I have not seen one. A naturalist showed me a Badger den opening at Kitty Todd Nature Preserve. It was much larger than I expected.

Apparently, a Coyote and a Badger may hunt together. Coyotes have better eyesight while Badgers can smell prey underground. Coyotes can chase and catch prey on the surface while Badgers can dig for prey.

If prey escapes the Coyote and flees underground, then the Badger takes over. If the Badger digs and scares out prey that escapes the Badger, then the Coyote chases the meal.

I have no idea if this hunting partnership has been witnessed in Lucas County.

! posted by jr on Jan 04, 2012 at 02:13:37