Bear Seen on Pilgrim Drive in Westford Last Week

A black bear was seen on Pilgrim Drive in Westford last week.

A resident uploaded this photo to the Westford Patch Facebook page, saying she saw the bear on her backyard on Saturday.

Bear sightings are not uncommon in Westford. In March, one was spotted near the Robinson School, forcing school officials to keep students inside for recess.

Bears are typically active in the area from April to December.

Here are some tips from state wildlife officials on preventing run-ins with bears:

• Take down bird feeders
• Be sure that all pet foods are consumed at a single feeding and not left in the dish. Do not leave pet food or dirty dishes outside at night
• Store all garbage in closed containers in a secure garage or inside location.
• Do not place meat scraps, fruit remnants, or sweet materials in your compost pile. Bears will be attracted to these items.

Find more tips here.