Queens Red Fox winter coat

Halloween Footprints

I found these canine footprints under one of my game cams on 10/31/15. The animal that left them was not photographed, as they were directly under the camera and thus out of the detection zone. An SD card is 1.25 inches in size so this print is approximately 2.5 inches when taking into account the shifting of sand from the landing and propelling of the foot. This matches the accepted variation of coyote track size. What makes these compelling is that I received a message from an individual claiming to have observed a coyote crossing Northern Blvd at Udall's cove on Oct 22nd, only several days before I came across these prints.

Queens Red Fox summer coat

Updated Sightings Map of Coyotes in Queens

Below is a map of Coyote sightings that have been reported by the media in Queens. Mouse over the markers for the specific locations and date of sighting.

• http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/animal-control-officers-set-trap-rochdale-village-coyote-spotted-article-1.418192
• http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2010/11/laurelton_times_newskbxwqzi03102010.html
• http://nymag.com/news/features/coyotes-2014-2/
• http://nypost.com/2011/01/23/coyotes-grave-love-prospects/
• http://nypost.com/2004/01/27/queens-coyote-goes-with-floe/
• http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Coyote-Rooftop-Bar-LIC-Bar-Long-Island-City-Queens-298052391.html
• http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/04/27/middle-village-coyote/

Coyote Lures I

Canine Tracks

I photographed these prints on 06/13/15. They are clearly canine in origin, with a length of approximately 2.75''. They look more like a coyote than a domestic dog based on the following critiria. Toes 2 and 3, the top two toes, sit almost on top of toes 1 and 4, the two outside toes. This creates more space between the toes and heel pad. The toes, especially toes 1 and 4, point straight ahead with little sideward splay. These features are coyote traits. However, it is impossible to say with 100% certainty that these were made by a coyote as the track imprints were not well defined in the ground, and only two prints were observed, not an entire trail pattern.

 

Track info: https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/moss_glen_nature_photography/8391808797/

Research Area

Udall's Cove Preserve in Little Neck, Queens, NYC is where all of my research has been conducted. Although small it is largely inaccessible with few trails (all established trails are in the far Northern and Southern sections of the preserve) and with abundant, thick growth throughout. The reason it caught my attention is because the Long Island Railroad runs through the Northern end of the preserve. It has been theorized that Coyotes from Westchester County and the Bronx travel along railways into Queens. This is essentially the only way the Locust Manor LIRR coyote would have been able to get to it's location. I browsed railroad trackway maps to see where they adjoined with parks and Udall's Cove fit the criteria. I don't believe Udall's Cove is host to a resident Coyote(s). Based on known Coyote territory requirements it may be too small, hence it is my belief that the preserve and railway act as a corridor for travel to and from other locations. Udall's Cove is close to Alley Pond Park, Coastal Marshes, a cemetery, and a golf driving range (rabbit habitat). As previously mentioned I am the first to officially document Red Fox living in this park.


http://www.nycgovparks.org/greening/nature-preserves/site?FWID=33

Possible Coyote?

Another ambiguous picture of what may or may not be a coyote. There are only two possibilities for this one, coyote or dog. I have never observed a dog in this area either in person or on camera. It's simply not in an area where dogs are likely to roam free or where they would go if free, though that certainly doesn't mean a loose dog couldn't go in there. The grainy and shadowy quality of picture is unable to confirm either way.