Island Wildlife

Ecology Overview

Martha’s Vineyard has a unique balance of protected conservation land, forests, barrier beaches, freshwater ponds, and agricultural fields. Because of that habitat diversity, wildlife encounters are extremely common, even close to towns, bike paths, and residential neighborhoods.

Species You Are Most Likely to See

Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo)

Turkeys are the most visible wildlife species on the island. They move in flocks and are frequently seen walking through neighborhoods, crossing roads, and feeding near open fields. They are accustomed to people, but should never be fed: feeding causes aggressive behavior and road altercations.

White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Common around West Tisbury, Edgartown Great Pond areas, and on quieter backroads. Most active at dusk and dawn. Deer are a major host for ticks, so stay on trails and use insect repellent.

Raccoons (Procyon lotor)

Nocturnal and bold. Attracted to unsecured trash cans, compost, and outside pet food. If staying in a rental, secure trash and avoid leaving food outdoors overnight.

Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)

Martha’s Vineyard has one of the densest skunk populations in New England due to mild winters and abundant food sources. They are not aggressive; spray is defensive only. If you encounter one, stop and let it move away.

Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis)

Common in towns, campgrounds, and wooded areas. Frequently seen during the day and comfortable around people.

Snakes (Non-venomous only)

Every snake on the island is harmless to people and useful to the place. They keep mice and voles in check, which matters on an island where the white-footed mouse carries the tick-borne diseases, and they feed the hawks and herons in turn. If you meet one on a trail, in a garden or under a board, leave it exactly where it is: do not move it, pick it up or kill it. Watch it for a moment and let it get on with its work.

Eastern Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum)

Harmless and beneficial. Helps control rodent populations. Often found near stone walls, warm pavement, or sun-lit rocks. There are no venomous snakes on Martha’s Vineyard.

Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus)

Small and secretive, slate gray with a yellow or cream ring around the neck, and rarely longer than a ruler. It spends the day under boards, logs and flat stones and hunts at night for worms, slugs and salamanders. Harmless; if you lift a board and find one, put the board back the way it was.

Birds

Over 300 documented bird species have been recorded on or migrating through Martha’s Vineyard (Mass Audubon data). The island is one of the best birdwatching locations in the Northeast.

The easiest place to start is Felix Neck in Edgartown: osprey poles, a marsh and four flat trails, covered in our Felix Neck guide.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

Ospreys arrive every spring and build large nests on man-made platforms near ponds. They dive into shallow water to catch fish. You can watch a pair on their nest platform right now on the Felix Neck osprey cam above.

Where: Felix Neck, Sengekontacket Pond, Edgartown Great Pond

Great Blue Heron and Snowy Egret

Frequently seen feeding in salt ponds and marshes during low tide.

Shorebirds (Sandpipers, Plovers)

Nesting areas on beaches are roped off during spring and early summer. Respect signage to protect eggs and chicks.

Confirmed Coyote Sightings (Recent Research)

Coyotes are not established on Martha’s Vineyard, but multiple confirmed sightings have occurred:

• 2010: DNA from scat found on the north shore came back 97 percent coyote
• 2019: trail-camera confirmation in Edgartown (May), then Oak Bluffs (January 2020) and Aquinnah (January 2023)
• 2019–2024: coyotes recorded on private security and trail cameras (Katama, Oak Bluffs, South Shore)

Wildlife experts, including long-time MV naturalist Gus Ben David, have examined remains and trail camera photos. Current belief: coyotes likely swim from the Elizabeth Islands (Naushon).

As of today, there is no verified breeding population on Martha’s Vineyard.

If a breeding population forms (based on science from other islands)

• likely reduction in skunk and raccoon activity
• possible decrease in rodent and goose populations
• minimal impact on adult deer (may take fawns)
• potential risk to free-range sheep and poultry farms

Research from state wildlife biologists shows that attempting to eradicate coyotes increases reproduction: smaller populations produce larger litters. Long-term management methods are fencing and livestock guardian dogs, not culling.

Where to Observe Wildlife Responsibly

• Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary (Edgartown) – trail loops, ponds, osprey platforms
• Long Point Wildlife Refuge (West Tisbury) – dunes, freshwater pond, shorebirds
• Sengekontacket Pond (OB / Edgartown) – osprey, egrets, herons
• State Forest and backroads – deer at dusk

Seasonality

• Spring: peak bird migration, osprey returning
• Summer: easy turkey sightings and shorebirds
• Fall: raptor migration and monarch butterflies
• Winter: owls and waterfowl

Ethical Viewing and Safety

• Never feed wildlife
• Stay on marked trails to avoid disturbing nests and dens
• Use a zoom lens instead of approaching animals
• Keep distance; do not corner or block an animal’s path

Contribute Sightings (Citizen Science)

If you want to log wildlife sightings or verify species identification, the two databases used by researchers are:

• eBird (Cornell Lab): bird sightings and migration tracking
• iNaturalist: photo-based species identification and mapping