Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse, an icon on the Bay, has a quirky display you may have noticed if you’ve happened to cruise past it. A small group of resin coyote decoys are affixed to the lighthouse’s landing dock. The coyotes are lifelike enough to make you do a double-take, and they serve an important purpose.
Water birds kept leaving a mess of droppings all over the dock every time groups would arrive to tour the lighthouse. Lighthouse manager John Potvin had tried everything to keep the birds off, but nothing worked—until fishing charter operator Capt. Drew Payne suggested trying a faux coyote. Appropriately, the coyote was christened Drew. His presence did the trick in protecting the dock from birds.
This summer, a “companion” for Drew the coyote was installed, which was nicknamed Debby and given painted-red toenails. Now, the coyote couple has a pup. Just for fun, a third decoy was installed. The young coyote does not yet have a name. Chesapeake Bay Magazine agreed to help Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse narrow down their choices for a name, and we need your vote to help determine a winner. We’re even choosing one voter to win a $100 gift certificate from our friends at the new Pusser’s Landing Baltimore location!
To enter, comment on our Facebook post or just email us “I VOTED” at [email protected].
VOTE HERE FOR THE COYOTE PUP’S NAME
All of the options were nominated by Potvin’s six-year-old granddaughter, and no matter which one wins, it will add some whimsy to the fun-and-functional coyote decoy display. Volunteers say it’s a big hit with people who come onto the lighthouse for tours. Drew the coyote has already gained a following, with his own Facebook page and even a children’s book.
Natasha Nash Dixon, a devoted lighthouse volunteer, published Drew’s Grand Adventure just before the holidays last year. The storybook features photos by CBM contributor and official Thomas Point photographer David Sites. It details the surprising true story of how Drew came to be at the lighthouse, and the harrowing moments when Tropical Storm Debby swept away the dock—with him still attached to it.
Now, Dixon is planning a new children’s book featuring the yet-to-be-named pup, taking his own adventure on the Bay. Expected to be released in 2026, it will be a travel book of sorts for families, Dixon says. All proceeds from her storybooks go directly to maintaining the 150-year-old lighthouse.
To learn more about the lighthouse and the future challenges facing preservationists to keep it alive, read our feature story.
