My usual routine is to visit the nests early in the morning. This lets me avoid other people as well as the worst of the sun and heat. But I’ve come to realize there is a disadvantage in that most of the gulls and chicks are still sleeping and hard to spot.
On Monday, July 26th, I was behind schedule and ended up getting to the nests around 11am… The weather was cooler and more overcast than usual, and we had a good rainstorm that lasted the previous two days. It’s disturbing that saying that sounds like bragging…
Clipper nest #2
I started off on the Burrard Street Bridge to check out the Clipper nests. I got a good view of an adult and the three chicks from the second nest – here they are celebrating the arrival of mom or dad.
I couldn’t see them clearly, but it looked like the chicks from Clipper nest #1 were napping on the other side of the cinder blocks where I usually see them.
I spotted an adult gull resting at the far end of the rooftop when I went to check-up on Cambie nest yesterday morning. It was the same location as on July 21st, which gave me some hope.
My concern for the Cambie nest in my previous post was justified after all. As I approached my vantage point for this nest I saw several workers cleaning the rooftop, and instantly noticed that the nest platform was swept clean…
I had thought of subtitling this post “as the world burns…”, but it struck me as simultaneously too corny and too obvious. I am unceasingly astounded that as a species we continue to minimize or even deny anthropogenic climate change, even as we witness it engulf the entire planet.
A quote from Shakespeare’s King Lear has been echoing through my mind lately:
“When we are born, we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools.”
That aside, this morning I was surprised to spot a new nest from the Burrard St. Bridge. The nest was hidden by the ledges - but now the chicks are exploring and I got a good view of them.
