Critter Report

First Bear – of the year.  Backyard bird feeder on 261 Dalhousie Ct – Jerry Baur – Posted 4/13/2019

2018 Sightings
Flock of Turkeys – Late October, 2018, rainy morning, on the golf course, from Kenmure Drive  – Kathy Galbraith – Posted 10/29/2018

Video from a “game camera” located in the yard. – Billy Thoelke – 122 Pinnacle Peak Lane – Posted 9/11/2018

Small Bobcat

Larger Male Bobcat

Medium Black Bear

Raccoon

Bears – A mother (very large) and 3 cubs walked through our backyard today around 3:00.  One cub was quite small compared to the other 2. They walked back into Carl Sandburg.  Sharon Patton – 216 Maple Hill Dr. – Posted 9/6/2018

Visit by Bear – This big fella showed up just before noon on Monday (8/20), up the stairs to our deck, over the railing and down the neighbors driveway – Scenic Drive – Dennis O’Connor – 847-778-1055 – Posted 8/22/2018

We came out of our garage to walk the dog only to find mama bear and a few cubs – 105 Greenleaf Drive –  William Garcia – Posted 8/2/2018

Sighted our first bear in the backyard, living here full time since May. We heard something heavy walking in the woods and, sure enough, it was a bear. Couldn’t get any photos, but the memory lingers. Last week, we had two adult turkeys and over 20 chicks roaming the yard. Saw them again, yesterday, on Kenmure near Belshire. A good week on Crestgrove Drive – Kathy Galbraith – Posted 7/16/2018

This cute guy (Racoon) interrupted his munching from the feeder to pose for the camera.  We’ve relocated the feeder to a more inaccessible location.  Seen on June 18, 2018 on Fawncrest Court – Pam Van Tassel – Posted 7/10/2018

********************************************************************************************************************************

These two bears walked through our property on Fawncrest Court on the morning of June 30.  It’s our first Kenmure bear sighting since arriving here in September 2017.  The prior owners had told us that once or twice a year bears would walk through along that same line going up or down the hill!  The close up photo (zoomed) is of the bear in the rear, who moved more slowly and seemed older.  We’re hoping they didn’t smell the sunflower seeds in the feeder on the upper deck!  – Pam Van Tassel – Fawncrest Ct. – Posted 7/10/2018

    

*************************************************************************************************************************

On Wednesday, June 27, a mama bear and her three cubs visited my back yard for about 20 minutes. The cubs climbed a tree beside my back porch. Mama wandered about, out of sight of the cubs, for the most part. They also visited my front bridge walk. Unfortunately, by the time I got my phone back out, only one cub remained on the walk. But when I first went to the front door to see them, all four were on the walkway. It was a bit disconcerting to be less than 20 feet from a 400-pound bear with only a glass storm door between us! As I closed the front door, I reflected that I’d probably had my fill of this National Geographic/Wild Kingdom moment – Ann Stringfield – 129 Forest View Drive – Posted 7/8/2018

**********************************************************************************************************************************

Select then press open to view:  Stringfield_bear4

**********************************************************************************************************************************

Bear sighting on 25 June at the intersection of Bellshire and Founders.  He also got into my bird feeder by bending the hook straight down and the hummingbird feeder that night while we slept – Bill Manofsky – Posted 7/8/2018

**********************************************************************************************************************************

This Bear visited us after leaving the Scott’s. It came up the driveway, prowled on the front porch and then came around and wandered around on the back deck causally slapping at the bird feeder – Pinnacle Peak Lane – Larry Rostetter – Posted 6/16/2018

Couldn’t believe my eyes when I spotted it in my front yard around 7:48 pm.  This gorgeous peacock walked around the front of my house, then toured my backyard before wandering off.  This free range peacock must have been someone’s pet.  Just hope this gorgeous creature stays alive, sure is a nice addition to Kenmure – Scenic Drive – Vivian Adams – Posted 6/15/2018

More pictures 6/22/2018 

Da Bears!  Mama Bear and baby cubs seen  at 278 Red Maple Drive – Vicky Boek – Posted 6/14/2018

About 1:30 this afternoon Suzanne spotted a BEAR (April 22, 2018) right outside her sewing room window.  By the time we could get a camera it had gone to the edge of our retaining wall.  Then it sauntered off into the woods behind the Boyd estate – Doug & Suzanne Moe – 131 Ridge Lane – Posted 4/22/2018

At 6:40 pm today, 4/10/18, I saw what I believe to be a Mountain Lion walking through our backyard on Founders Drive. We have a grandfathered fence around the perimeter of our backyard, and the mountain lion was walking along the inside of our fence at a steady pace. I tried to grab my phone to take a picture of it, but was too far away. I went to the living room and saw it again, (still walking along the fence inside our backyard) through the windows there. But by the time I got to our sliding glass door to go out on the deck to take a photo, he had disappeared. He was about 3’ – 4’ tall, solid tan colored, with a long tail. I researched online to see if it could be a bobcat, because I have read of numerous bobcat sightings here, but it definitely appears to have been a mountain lion!  I’ve attached a photo from the internet of what the cat I saw looked like, and a comparison chart I found online that also helped me determine that what was in our backyard was most probably a mountain lion – Aral Johnson – posted 4/11/2018

One medium sized Bear 9:30 Saturday night in our yard.  Our son in law reported it was right by his car when he went out to bring in a suitcase.  One way to send a family home quickly!!  Marian Hansen – Posted 3/31/2018

At approximately 12:45 pm today, Friday 3/23/2018, a small Bobcat emerged from the wooded area across the street from our house. It seemed unconcerned that we were out in the front yard and leisurely trotted across the street in our direction. It came within 10-12 feet of where we were standing, then veered off into the wooded area between our house and our next door neighbor’s house. It may have been headed towards the creek that runs behind the two properties. We were not able to get a picture but it looked exactly like the photo in the sighting report submitted by Candace Lewis on 2/28/2018. Our guess is that it could be the very same bobcat – Terry & Eris Allen – 113 Woodglen Ct. – Posted 3/23/2018

For several weeks my dog was finding pieces of what looked like a rabbit outside our porch. Then about a week ago at dusk we saw a Bobcat across the street. He went up Red Maple. Last night Allen saw it again between our house and the Manuel’s. I figured neighbors might want to know especially if they have pets – Lisa Bass – Posted 3/23/2018

At about 10:00 a.m. today, Tuesday, February 27, 2018,  I sighted a Bobcat.  Young cat, probably about 30 pounds.  Came up from the lower yard, paused for what seemed like hours just adjacent to my kitchen door, then sauntered across my driveway to Greenleaf Drive.  From there, the cat proceeded down Old Hillside.  I have seen bobcats before on Greenleaf, so I presume they have a home locally.  Small dog owners beware—this cat can do some damage! – Candace Lewis – Reported 2/28/2018

My husband and I plan to settle on a Crestgrove home in February, 2018. While exploring homes for sale in September, 2017, we came across this Copperhead sitting in the middle of Kenmure Dr near Dalahousie Ct. The day was warm and sunny. The snake looked like it had recently eaten and was sluggish. Sorry for the blurred photo, but I’m sure you understand.  Kathy Galbraith – Reported & Posted 1/11/2018

2017 Sightings

On Wed, Oct 25, 2017 at 9:03 AM, We wanted to alert our neighbors of a bobcat that was in our yard this morning, very close to the house. My concern, of course, is for small pets, as well as humans – Carolyn Robinson – Dalhousie Court – Posted 10/30/2017

At 8:00 pm this evening of 8/26/2017, I opened my front door to go out onto my bridge walk to bring in the hummingbird feeder. A black bear was ambling off the bridge walk onto the driveway, as I walked out. Then, he walked into the street and leisurely strolled away. Ann Stringfield – 129 Forest View Drive – Posted 8/27/2017

During the past week my wife and I have observed a fairly large bobcat in our yard and on the street at Silent Rise Lane. It was observed by us on three separate occasions and by one of our neighbors in their yard. Simultaneously, we have observed about 18 wild turkeys roaming in the same area. I suspect that the bobcat is stalking them since it was seen during the daytime. I checked the web and found this photo of an almost identical bobcat that I used to verify my sightings.  Paul Boudreaux – 312 Silent Rise Lane – Posted 8/7/2017

A large male black bear just walked down our driveway from 131 Ridge Lane to the corner of our house. He then walked down the stairs beside the house to the back yard and then into the woods towards the Boyd property. He was missing a lot of hair on his right hip – Posted 8/3/2017

Out for an afternoon walk on 5/29, our pups stopped to stare at what I first took to be a stick in the neighbors’ drive. Nope. It was a gray rat snake, about 4 feet long, sunning itself. This species was new to me, but NC State University Extension Service notes that they are nonvenomous and not aggressive, and live up to their name by converting rodents and other small critters to snake meat. The snake pictured is in its peculiar “kinked” posture.  They are apparently often and unfortunately mistaken for venomous snakes. Posted by Clark Irwin, Kenmure Drive – 6/1/2017

Arrived home at 6:45 pm to find 2 large bears at home and yard at 227 Maple Hill Dr. They left across Red Maple down to Chestnut. Posted by Dee Dee Gould – 5/30/2017

My husband and I were heading out to dinner when I spotted two bears near Winding Meadows and Overlook Drive. The first one went between two of the condo buildings but this one came towards us. We were in Kenmure working with our construction team for our new home. This was quite a surprise to see them out in the open.  Posted by Gayle and Jay Schwarz – 5/21/2017

Today about 12:20 PM, a baby black bear crossed Kenmure Drive near the lake and strolled into the woods. I didn’t see any sign of Momma Bear. Susan Kasper – Posted 5/5/2017

Returning home at dusk (8:15pm) on Saturday, April 23rd, we rounded the sharp curve on Tarnhill to find a cub sitting in the middle of the road and four others seemingly frolicking beyond. As we tried to get closer to take a photo, they began to head further up the hill and eventually scampered down Tall Oak Lane. In the photo, the fifth cub is obscured by the post box on the left.

So extraordinary a sight, it brought to mind the start of the English nursery rhyme “Teddy Bear’s Picnic”:
If you go out in the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise.
If you go out in the woods today, you’d better go in disguise.
For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain, because
Today’s the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

Helen & Ben Wright – Posted 4/26/2017

Lookin out the window, I saw a flock(?) of 9 Turkeys moving from my backyard towards the Orchard/Boland sideyard. Reported by John Mayfield 1/21/2017

We were coming up Kenmure Dr. about 10:00 last night (January 16) and a bear ran across the road right in front of our car between 308 and 312 Kenmure (Robins and Ashbeck). Fortunately, we were going very slowly because of the fog, so we did not hit him, but it was CLOSE! I guess this warm weather woke him up. Reported by Scott and Nancy Benyon 1/17/2017

I just saw five deer. They were crossing Greenleaf and moving onto the Peter Haft lot, down by the next driveway along Greenleaf. It was just ten minutes ago at 9:30 a.m. Maybe they were hungry after the snow. Check your azaleas or other shrubs. Reported by Dick Roemer 1/12/2017

2016 Sightings

Bears in our backyard – Mom and her cubs in our yard for dinner. We’ve had many nuts come down in the last few weeks. Stayed for an hour or so and wandered off – Reported by Sharon Patton 10/26/2016 – Patton_Bears

Came across 4 bears (mama and 3 cubs) on Scenic Drive at 6:35 p.m. today while walking our dog. The bears were raiding the trash dumpster in front of a house that is under construction. When they saw me, mama headed back onto the Sandburg land with a “trophy” from the dumpster, while the cubs followed her empty-handed – Reported Reported by Tom Carpenter 8/24/2016

Bobcat on our patio Sunday morning – Alan & Darlene Bush – 108 Pinnacle Peak Lane – Reported 8/21/2016

This guy wanted to join us for coffee this morning. Happily he decided it was too noisy when I hollered at him – Bob & Annette Bonner – 220 Kenmure Drive – Reported 8/19/2016

Bears in driveway on 108 Pinnacle Peak Lane on August 13, 2016 – Alan & Darlene Bush – Reported 8/18/2016

We spotted a lone black bear walking through our back yard at 11:20 this morning at 105 Greenleaf Drive – Willy & Gloria Garcia – Reported 8/18/2016

A young copperhead snake found (approx. 3 feet long) lying on a shelf in our garage this afternoon. The snake was removed by Animal Control Experts from Asheville and will be relocated to a remote area. This is the first poisonous snake we have encountered in Kenmure, so we thought it prudent just to remind everyone that they are known to be in the area – Tom Carpenter – Maple Hill Drive – Reported 8/4/2016

This black bear was up on our top deck looking at our bird feeders around 6:30 p.m. – Bob & Annette Bonner – 220 Kenmure Dr. – Reported 7/30/2016

At about 8:15 p.m. on 7/28/16, a lone bear was spotted crossing Poplar Loop Drive about 40 yards before Overlook Drive – Sandy Bernreuter – Reported 7/28/2016

Just had a large bobcat run through our front and side yard. 8:45 pm – 227 Maple Hill – Dr. Chip Gould – Reported 7/26/2016

Bear in driveway yesterday at 2:00 p.m. at 122 Founders Drive – Neighbor took picture – Terry Stein – Reported 7/23/2016

Yesterday morning @ about 6:30 a.m. my husband was walking the dog down Founders between Hessong’s and Thomas’s. Two large deer were in the road. Just stood there for about 2 minutes before moving on through the Thomas’s yard – Terry Stein – Reported 7/23/2016

Had a deer in my back yard today (7/8) at 12:30PM – 113 Berry Creek Dr. – Kathy Limmiatis – Reported 7/8/2016

Large female bear and 4 cubs sited in our backyard (228 Greenleaf) on July 8, 2016. Cubs were harvesting apples while the mother kept a lookout. Sorry, I didn’t get a photo of the cubs – Marlin Sanders – Reported 7/8/2016

7/5/16 when I looked out on our top deck this morning, this bear was wandering across the deck to the stairs. By the time I could get his picture, he was back down in the yard. Bob and Annette Bonner – 220 Kenmure Dr – Reported 7/5/2016

White Squirrel – …first white squirrel we’ve had – Beth and Jon Couch – Reported 6/16/2016

We had 2 visits by this big guy yesterday! The first was about 3 in the afternoon after he came crashing down with our bird feeder. The second was about 7 pm providing cocktail hour entertainment during the rain with Cynthia and Bryan Vick, Cynthia’s mom Ellen, and Jim and Kitty Olson. Not only is our deck is 2 floors high, but he was fearless with 7 people watching out floor-to-ceiling windows and taking his picture! – Beth and Jon Couch – 175 Old Hillside Lane – Reported 6/16/2016

While walking our collie I ran across a VERY LARGE black bear on Founders – Dr.Mark Kenzik – Reported 6/5/2016

A large mother black bear and her four cubs passed the house at 312 Silent Rise Lane. First seen May 29, 2016 and again on June 4, 2016 The cubs ran up a tree in our back yard when they heard us speaking from our rear deck. The photo shows the mother walking away toward McKay pond and the Clubhouse while three cubs were still up the tree. The fourth cub was significantly smaller than its three siblings, but it looked and acted as it were healthy enough as they all ran into the woods. – Reported 6/5/2016

Bear sighted on driveway at 161 Tarnhill – 1 PM – Reported May/21/2016

White squirrel sighted on Tarnhill Drive near Farwood Ct. Very menacing – Larry Rosetter – Reported 5/7/2016

Raccoon sighting – We called animal control on a raccoon hanging around our garage door. It appeared that he had distemper as he would not move until the animal control officer arrived. It was then that he took off and could not be located. The officer thought he might return and to keep an eye for him – Bob Boek – Red Maple Drive area – 785-3774 – Reported 4/13/2016