Mariana Jung
Jul 1, 2026, 11:23 PM
Weird one this morning at the little playground off Aliso Creek Rd near the elementary. A coyote was just standing there on the field, maybe 20 feet out, and did not care that a bunch of us were around at drop-off. Didn't run, didn't flinch when a couple parents clapped. Just watched us and stayed put for a good few minutes before it wandered off toward the greenbelt. I know they're supposed to be around here and I don't want to be the person who panics over a coyote existing. But the daylight-and-won't-budge part is what got me. Is that the point where you actually report it, or is standing its ground more normal than it felt in the moment? Genuinely asking. Reported it on Coyote Cacher just in case.
Juan Sato
Jul 1, 2026, 11:23 PM
Mariana, you're not overreacting, and please tell your sister that. A 20-pound dog is exactly what they're sizing up, and that "just watching" is it deciding. I'd skip dawn on the Summit entirely right now, especially two days running near that water tank. Walk Poblano later, on-leash, on open streets. Carry an air horn. Trust the feeling that made you scoop him up.
Eun Choi
Jul 1, 2026, 11:37 PM
That spot by the elementary off Aliso Creek Rd gets them a lot, especially the greenbelt behind the field. Standing its ground at 20 feet during drop-off is worth the Coyote Cacher report, so good call. The clapping not working is the part I'd flag more than the daylight honestly. Daytime alone isn't really the red flag people think it is.
Sarah Tran
Jul 2, 2026, 2:47 AM
Agreeing with Eun on the daytime thing. They're active whenever, and a coyote crossing a field on its way somewhere isn't automatically a problem. The not-flinching-at-clapping is what makes it worth a note. When you haze you kind of have to commit to it, not a couple polite claps but yelling, arms up, stepping toward it, making yourself the bigger deal. Half-hearted hazing sort of teaches them we're harmless.
Karim Huang
Jul 2, 2026, 6:02 AM
Mariana I'm right by there too. Quick question since you were there, did it seem interested in the kids or just parked and watching everybody in general? Big difference between fixated on something and just being a coyote that doesn't feel like moving.
Aaron Jung
Jul 2, 2026, 9:15 AM
The one that gets me is when they don't budge even when you make noise. Had a similar standoff near Woodfield park a while back and honestly you feel a little silly clapping at a dog-sized animal that's clearly unimpressed. Reporting it was the right move, at least then there's a record if it keeps happening at the same spot.
Karim Huang
Jul 2, 2026, 12:25 PM
Thanks Sarah, tried the full arm-waving-and-yelling version this morning when one was hanging near our greenbelt and it actually moved off pretty quick. The commit part really is the difference, felt ridiculous but it worked.
Sarah Tran
Jul 2, 2026, 3:35 PM
Nice, Karim, that's exactly it. And worth mentioning for anyone reading later, check the field edges for whatever's keeping them interested. A lot of the habituated ones near schools are cutting through because of trash cans or dropped food from lunch, or someone leaving pet food out nearby. Fix the food and the standing-around usually sorts itself out.
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