If you live in Sussex or Kent County, you may have seen the posts on Nextdoor or Facebook recently. They usually describe the same chilling experience.
It happens late at night. You are letting the dog out, or maybe just sitting on your porch, when you hear it: a sound that resembles a woman screaming, or a crying baby, coming from the treeline.
It makes your hair stand on end. It makes your dog cower. And in 2026, it is happening more often.
For decades, wildlife officials told us this predator was effectively “extirpated” (locally extinct) in Delaware. But thanks to a surge in Ring doorbell videos and trail cam footage this year, we now know the truth.
The Bobcat is back. And it is getting comfortable in the First State.
1. The “Ghost of the Woods” Returns
For most of the 20th century, seeing a bobcat in Delaware was like seeing a ghost. They were pushed out by farming and development.
- The Comeback: In the last two years, confirmed sightings have skyrocketed. From the Great Cypress Swamp in Sussex to the wooded corridors of Hockessin in New Castle County, the “ghost cat” is reclaiming territory.
- The Evidence: Just last week, a homeowner in Milton captured clear video of a 30-pound bobcat strolling past their garage at 3:00 AM. It wasn’t just passing through; it was hunting.
2. That Blood-Curdling Sound
Why do they scream?
- The Noise: The sound that terrifies residents is actually a mating call or a territorial challenge. Unlike a house cat’s meow, a bobcat’s vocalization is a high-pitched, raspy wail that can sound uncannily human.
- The Confusion: 90% of “scream” reports turn out to be Red Foxes (who also scream). But the deep, guttural growl that often follows the scream? That is distinctly feline. That is a bobcat.
3. Why Are They Here Now?
It’s a simple case of the buffet being open.
- The Food Source: Delaware’s suburbs are exploding with the bobcat’s favorite snacks: squirrels, rabbits, and groundhogs.
- The Corridors: While we build more subdivisions, we often leave “green buffers” between them. These strips of woods act as perfect highways for bobcats, allowing them to travel from the Nanticoke River right into your backyard without being seen.
4. Should You Be Worried?
Seeing a predator with inch-long claws on your patio is unsettling, but officials say there is no need to panic.
- The Threat: Bobcats are notoriously shy. They want nothing to do with humans. Attacks on people are virtually unheard of.
- The Pets: However, they are opportunistic hunters. A 35-pound bobcat views a small outdoor cat or a tiny dog not as a pet, but as competition—or dinner. The old rule applies: Don’t leave small pets out alone at night.
The Takeaway
We often think of Delaware as “tamed”—a state of strip malls and chicken farms. But the return of the bobcat is a reminder that the wild is still watching us from the edges of the dark.
So, if you hear a scream in the woods tonight, don’t call 911 just yet. It might just be a love song from Delaware’s newest returning resident.
Have you captured a “mystery animal” on your trail cam this year? Post the photo in the comments.
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