South End Residents Report Deer Sightings In Recent Days
None was reputed to have a red nose, so we're assuming Rudolph made it safely back to the North Pole.
Photos
Early-morning dog walks have turned into deer-sighting expeditions for Barbara Vaughan, longtime resident of the 5400 block of West Avenue in Ocean City's southern end.
“The other morning, there were four of them, about 6 to 7 (a.m.),” Vaughan recounted. “Three adults and a little spotted one. They zoomed right past me and raced up Simpson (Avenue). They are just as beautiful as could be.”
Of course, Dolly, Vaughan's border collie-setter mix, wanted to chase the deer. Vaughan had to command her to “sit” to keep her from taking off after them, dragging Vaughan behind.
Scott Ping, an Ocean City councilman and Vaughan's neighbor on Haven Avenue, said his daughter spotted several deer on their lawn Monday night when she was letting their dog out. It's not the first time they have encountered wildlife you might not expect in a shore town.
“Coyotes have been in the alley at night and a beautiful red fox came through the yard about 10 days ago,” Ping wrote in a Facebook message. “We have always had wildlife spotted at times, but this year, we have an abundance.”
Coyotes? Gulp.
“We have not received any specific reports and have had many deer and other animal sightings in both south-end and north-end neighborhoods over the years,” said Capt. Steven K. Ang, Ocean City Police Department spokesman.
Vaughan believes the deer live in the wetlands between the old railroad tracks around 50th Street and south to Corson's Inlet. Winter likely has forced them to forage farther and wider for food and water. Her mother, who lives nearby, saw deer eating parsley in her yard recently.
Vaughan worries that the deer could be harmed because they don't seem to be afraid of humans or dogs.
“They came within 20 feet of us,” she said. “You worry about (traffic on) West Avenue.”
Residents of the fully developed barrier island have reported other relatively uncommon local sightings this year, including red foxes and various seal species.
Duffer
7:34 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
See deer and foxes all the time around the dredge spoils site just north of the train bridge. Often have raccoon and opossums visit the yard too.
Patrick Piriano
7:50 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
As I have lived in OC my whole life... ( 53 Years in the same house ) I have seen some of the wild life, but I have never seen a Deer or a Coyotee, I have seen the Bunny's, Opposums, foxes, Great pic by the way. I don't think I will ever see any Deer at 11th And Asbury! LOL
Bob
8:41 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
I grew up in the Ocean City Homes section. Seeing deer, while not common, isn't unheard of. They are more common recently, which is more of a deer population problem than anything (common problem throughout most of the northeast). There are a handful living in the the dredge spoil east of 55th street. I have seen a coyote in Corson's Inlet. They're harmless to humans, but people with small "lap dogs" should be more careful. Foxes, opossums, and raccoons can be found in abundance in the southend.
Bob
8:42 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
west of 55th street*
Cindy Nevitt
9:23 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
Red foxes have been sighted in Merion Park for years. Coyotes have been more recent visitors to the neighborhood. Opossums are becoming territorial and aggressive because someone in the neighborhood is feeding them. This has emboldened them to the point where one actually took up temporary residence on our back deck over Columbus Day weekend and prevented us from accessing our home from that entrance. It advanced on us and hissed when approached. Now we eyeball our steps before climbing them and check outside before taking our 4-pound Chihuahua for walks. We have never allowed our dogs out without being leashed for fear of attack from predator birds. Now we have attacks on the ground to consider!
sheri
11:16 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
They had better get their beach tags, and clean up after themselves.
Duffer
5:28 pm on Friday, December 30, 2011
Opossums are harmless. Just a little scary to city folk.
ASH48
5:36 pm on Friday, December 30, 2011
i think it's great news that there is wildlife in abundance on the island. Show your children the different animals - they( the animals ) probably won't be around when they get older. i find nothing more exciting than watching animals in the wild - remember, they were here before us.
Duffer
7:36 am on Saturday, December 31, 2011
Perhaps I could harvest a deer in OC next season. Open marsh stalking. That would be a challenge.
Derby Becker
11:21 am on Saturday, December 31, 2011
This could become more devastating than having people walking dogs on the beach!
Sounds like a controlled hunt is in order. This could be a great revenue producer for the city and also rid the south end of these nasty varmints. If only we had a bar to go to after the hunt! How about a controlled hunt followed with a BYOB party at Uncle Bills?