CHICAGO (WBBM/CBS) – Residents of the Budlong Woods neighborhood are being warned about coyotes in the area.

As WBBM Newsradio 780’s Lisa Fielding reports, Ald. Patrick O’Connor (40th) says many residents who live near Foster and California avenues have reported multiple sightings of coyotes.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780′s Lisa Fielding reports

“Predominantly, you know, much more prevalent before the big snow that we had,” O’Connor said, “and then subsequently, we hadn’t heard about them again, and now that the weather is nicer.”

The area is near Swedish Covenant Hospital, where O’Connor says the ambulance sirens sometimes set the animals off.

“I think it’s just noise that attracts them,” he said. “Obviously, a siren is not something that means food, but a little dog yapping might. So you’ve just got to be careful.”

In January, many neighbors reported hearing coyotes howling in the area as they heard the sirens.

O’Connor is reminding residents to keep a close eye on small animals when they’re outside, and to call the city immediately if they see any coyotes.

The animals generally hunt between sunset and sunrise.

Experts estimate there could be 2,000 coyotes within the city limits. The city does not trap coyotes.