I got out Sunday morning and checked up on all thirteen gull nests visible from the bridges in Vancouver. I spotted ten new chicks – I suspect there were a few more I was not able to see.

Cambie nest

The two chicks at Cambie nest are thriving. Their parents are working hard; I saw them fed twice within ten minutes.

Cambie nest with parents

Here’s the Cambie nest photographed with a wider angle while both parents were present. One of the chicks is visible while the other is behind the vents. The adult on the far right had just landed, and feeding time ensued shortly after this photo.

Clipper nest #1

When I got a view of the Clipper nests, I noticed the nest by the brick tower was empty and unattended. Searching the roof, I saw an adult gull resting on a cinderblock, and then noticed three chicks huddled and resting beside it. There was one adult gull resting by Clipper nest #2, but I was unable to see any chicks. However, given the angle and distance of these nests, there may very well have been some chicks hiding in the shade.

Crossfit nest

When I got across the bridge and investiaged this nest, I only saw the adult gull resting on their nest. But look closely under the left wing and you’ll see the little spotted rump of a chick. I’m willing to bet there’s another chick snuggled in with it, too.

Engineer nest

I suspected something was up at Engineer nest too, as the adult was off the nest, a sign there are chicks wandering around. I didn’t see them at the time due to the distance, but if you look closely between the adult and the edge of the roof and you’ll see the spotted head of a chick. Is there only one? Maybe, but I’m guessing there is at least one more that isn’t visible.

Grassy nest

This nest gave me another wonderful surprise – at least two more chicks! There might be a third (snuggled in behind the middle chick). There wasn’t enough movement for me to get a photo that shows for certain. Given their size, they’re probably no more than a few days old.

Chimney nest

Still no sign of chicks at Chimney nest. Chances are that there are some newly hatched chicks still hiding out under their parent.

Culinary nest

A quiet morning at Culinary nest, with a parent and the chicks resting.

Restaurant nest

The nest was empty when I arrived at Restaurant nest. One adult was perched high on the peak of the building, keeping watch. It took me a while to locate the chicks, but I found them cuddled up together on a tarp covering a large part of the roof.

Restaurant nest, zoomed in

Two sleepy chicks.

Design nest

Another empty nest, with a broken eggshell – a good sign. An adult gull was perched on the building’s edge just out of frame to the left.

Design nest chicks

It didn’t take me too long to find the chicks from this nest – at first I saw two, but then a third wandered out from behind the HVAC unit. It might be a trick of posture, but the third chick seems a touch larger than the others. Perhaps it was born a day earlier.

Ferrari nest

Finally, Ferrari nest remains quiet.

Until next time…

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