Boston in 2023: Wildlife

Wildlife continued to show us that Boston's their world and we're just living in it, from the skunk that wandered sightlessly around Hyde Park until a brave resident rescued it, to the turkey in Roslindale that took on the law - and won - to the coyote that chased a local TV host through Roxbury, and most recently, the sheep that went on the lam in South Boston.

Here are some of the highlights of the Hub's animal year, and, as always, special thanks to Mary Ellen, who continues to show us all the amazing creatures at both Millennium Park in West Roxbury and elsewhere in Boston (follow her work - and that of other Boston nature photographers - in the Boston Nature Group).

Lights, camera, eagle! 1/6/23 Andromeda Yelton spotted this bald eagle today, perching on a light pole at Trum Field in Somerville.

A wily coyote saunters into the Back Bay, evades animal control for hours 1/12/23 Liz Robson had a roadrunner's-eye view for a few hours today of a coyote running around Back Street along Storrow Drive for...

Whadaya looking at me for? It's poultry, isn't it? 1/17/23 Josh Bittker captured a hawk enjoying some squab - and a vehicle that is probably going to need a good soak at a car wash -...

Ecofriendly rodent control on Beacon Hill 1/24/23 Dan snapped the hawk that's been using a fifth-floor railing at the Boston Athenaeum on Beacon Street as an observation post.

The next generation of eagles arrives in West Roxbury 1/30/23 This morning, Mary Ellen photographed one mature bald eagle and a mottled young eagle at Millennium Park, along the Charles...

Hawkish on South Boston 2/19/23 Michael Spicher reports this hawk regularly hangs out outside his South Boston condo.

Dorchester Bay gets approval of seal 3/3/23 Mandercamp spotted a seal just hanging out on a dock on Dorchester Bay yesterday.

Moby Koi resurfaces in Jamaica Pond 3/25/23 Yesterday afternoon, a bright orange koi lazily did circles in the water off the northern shore of Jamaica Pond, tailed by a...

Roslindale turkeys fought the law and they won 4/1/23 The other day, Spencer Roach watched a confrontation between one of the neighborhood tough toms and a Boston Police officer...

Nothing like a good stretch after a long winter snooze 4/9/23 A turtle basked in the afternoon sun at Jamaica Pond yesterday.

Yes, the turkeys are taking over 4/15/23 A roving UHub photographer with access to the City Hall garage spotted this turkey this morning pondering which car to take...

Don't mess with Boston pigeons 4/23/23 John Daley captured this winged spectre perched at the Granary Burying Ground on Tremont Street.

Singing its little heart out 4/25/23 Mary Ellen watched and listened to a yellow warbler singing today at Millennium Park in West Roxbury.

Hyde Park woman saves skunk with its head stuck in a peanut-butter jar 4/26/23 In the Hyde Park, MA Neighbors group on Facebook, Jess Madden-Fuoco recounts the excitement on Child Street in Hyde Park...

Bolling Building crisis that's for the birds 5/3/23 Update: Boston Animal Control arrived today and took the geese, presumably to a place where they can splash around and do...

Meleagris gallochonko 5/8/23 Michael A. Burstein reports seeing three turkeys on Tappan Street in Brookline today, but that only one approaching the size...

Eager beaver 5/16/23 Mary Ellen watched this beaver at Cow Island Pond (the part of the Charles off Rivermoor Street in West Roxbury) make several...

Why, I otter ... 5/21/23 Mary Ellen reports spotting an otter in the marsh/pond in between VFW Parkway and the old West Roxbury Education Complex...

Coyote chases woman down Marcella Street in Roxbury; she is saved by rusty, noisy playground gate 5/23/23 Sue O'Connell, yes, that Sue O'Connell, reports she was walking her dog at the Connolly ballfield at Marcella Park in Roxbury...

Little fuzzball on Squantum beach 6/1/23 Mary Ellen spotted the baby plover at Squantum the other day.

Hey deer! 6/2/23 Mary Ellen crossed the Charles and spotted this deer in Cutler Park on the Needham/Dedham line, across from Millennium Park.

Long necked and long winged 6/3/23 This great blue heron in Jamaica Pond was just hanging out, looking for fish to spear, when it suddenly unfurled one of its...

Owl takes rare daytime flight over Arboretum 6/13/23 Mathteacherjedi spotted a great horned owl in flight at the Arnold Arboretum yesterday morning.

That well known muskrat love for tender shoots 6/21/23 Mary Ellen captured this muskrat (or some other rodenty critter) chowing down along the Charles River in West Roxbury the...

The eyes have it 6/25/23 Mary Ellen spotted an American bullfrog at Millennium Park in West Roxbury today - from the eyes up, at any rate.

Berry-binging birds 7/6/23 Mary Ellen's been watching the birds chow down on berries along the Charles River in West Roxbury the past couple of days,...

City confirms: No penguins escaped the Aquarium 7/18/23 Rachel Dolores was along the locks near Lovejoy Wharf Sunday night when she suddenly had to do a double take: Am I...

Banned from Castle Island? It's enough to drive you to drink 7/27/23 Steve Klise spotted this young seagull at a Northern Avenue parking garage about to take a snort in disgust at the attempt to...

Golden sunrise over the South End 8/17/23 "Pure magnificance!" Brooks Payne marvels.

Citizen complaint of the day: It's no raccoon, but weasel in Franklin Park might be rabid, too 8/19/23 A concerned citizen filed a 311 complaint about a white weasel with no fear on the Forest Hills Street side of Franklin Park...

If Fred Flintstone became a butterfly 9/9/23 Mary Ellen spotted this American Copper - a tiny, little butterfly, she reports - in West Roxbury the other day.

Sunbathing at the reservoir 10/2/23 Sundaram snapped some turtles soaking in the sun at the Chestnut Hill Reservoir in Brighton today.

Honey, where are you? Come on, I promise not to bite your head off 10/4/23 Mary Ellen got a close up of a mantis at Millennium Park in West Roxbury the other day.

Citizen complaint of the day: Deadly game of chicken in Dorchester yard 10/20/23 Update: Case closed, Animal Control reports "The chicken was taken to the shelter." A concerned citizen filed a 311...

First portrait 10/21/23 This immature Cooper's hawk at Millennium Park in West Roxbury stayed still long enough for Mary Ellen to compose a portrait...

The ducks with spats on their heads return to Jamaica Pond 11/18/23 The hooded mergansers are back at Jamaica Pond for their annual fall visit.

She's just a bird and she's on FIYAH 11/26/23 Mary Ellen found the Alicia Keys of the bird world the other day: A song sparrow in a puddle as the sun came up over...

Citizen complaint of the day: Chicken on the grass, alas 12/23/23 A concerned citizen filed a 311 report about a chicken, possibly injured, by the spray pad at Neponset Park off Hill Top...