11/9/2005

Coyote Watch

You know you’re living on a sheep farm when the threat of a coyote looms near. I can assure you, the threat is real. We have seem a lone large coyote, in very good condition on our land for the last three weeks now. First sighting up in Cranberry Cove where the rams are summered. That sighting prompted up to bring up the rams to the barn. The last two sightings were at the end of our driveway. Simply standing still and peering at us, he didn’t move or run away. Obviously scoping out the place. He must have gotten the cat afterall.

I spent some time running extra electric net fencing around the outside of our paddock fencing this morning. I hope the next howl I hear is his cry of pain from being zapped. I have seen scat on our perimeter walks in the woods, which reveal the remains of smaller hairy animals like squirrel or chipmunk. This canine is running in chahoots with a bostrus screach owl. Between the two of them with their erry noises during the night, it’s enough to curdle your blood.

Thank goodness the three Border Collies stand on alert, in their kennels, during the night. More later I’m sure…. Lisa