As we enter into the hottest global days our species has ever experienced, it’s difficult not to worry about the fate of breeding birds – and Earth’s ecosystems in general. While it has been hot in Vancouver, we haven’t seen the oppressive heat dome that caused so much havoc last year. Hopefully we will avoid the worst outcomes this year.
Last Friday I got out early to check in with my gulls. All the nests seem to be doing well, and I spotted a handful for new chicks too.
Design nest adult
My first stop was the Design nest. Ascending the off-ramp, I could see one adult gull sitting atop an HVAC unit keeping watch. The chicks were harder to see, all wedged into the nest in a corner of the rooftop…
Design nest chicks
The three chicks that I first spotted on July 2nd.
Restaurant nest
Both chicks at Restaurant nest were huddled together sleeping as a parent kept watch from nearby.
Chimney nest
Some news here – I confirmed this nest now has at least one chick. Look closely and you can see a little speckled head tucked under the nesting gulls’ wing. The gull didn’t move or leave the nest while I was watching, so I could not verify if there was another chick or two snuggled in there.
Engineer nest
After noticing a chick at this nest on my previous visit, I spotted the chick in a more open area. I only saw one chick here – I scanned the entire rooftop and couldn’t find any others hiding. However, there are a lot of spots that are not visible and it is entirely possible there are other chicks present.
Grassy nest
The three chicks at Grassy nest were out and active when I got there. Mom or dad is just out of the frame on the right keeping an eye on these little ones.
Culinary nest, chick #1
The two chicks at Culinary nest were quite active when I passed by. They are some of the older chicks I’m monitoring, and you can see their juvenile feathers are beginning to come in – primarily on their wings. It’s believed this is an itchy process for birds, and this chick was spending a lot of time preening, which maybe helps the itchiness.
Culinary nest, chick #2
The second chick at Culinary nest was energetically running around and at one point ran to a part of the balcony almost directly under the bridge. I snapped this photo as it peered up curiously at me.
Ferrari nest
Two chicks! Passing Ferrari nest, I finally spotted some chicks. I suspect these two at only a few days old.
Cambie nest
The two chicks at Cambie nest. If you look closely, you can see the pin feathers coming in on their wings.
Cambie nest chick
A portrait of one of the chicks.
The plan is to get out again in the next few days!