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.
Pyramid nest
All three chicks were out at Pyramid nest, eager to get some food.
So far I’ve restrained myself and not posted any photos of the feeding process… as mammals, we have an instinctual revulsion to it. But, as difficult and disturbing as we find it, clearly it’s an effective evolutionary solution to the problem of how to feed your young.
Pyramid nest location
Here’s a photo to give you more context on the location of this nest. It seems like a good choice to me – protected from predators and somewhere to find shade just about anytime of the day.
And given Vancouver’s housing market, their view alone would be worth a million dollars. AirBNB anyone?
Crossfit nest
These chicks have been hard to spot on my recent visits. They rest in a nook where I can’t see them from any of the available sight lines. Today I arrived at feeding time and got a chance to verify there are still two chicks.
Chimney nest
Grassy nest and Chimney nest were both quiet: chicks resting and parents loafing nearby, lazily keeping an eye on their chicks.
Notice the egg, still unhatched, hidden in the shade to the right of the central pipe/chimney.
Culinary nest
In what seems like terrible architectural design for the Pacific Northwest, the top of this building has a spot just off of the balcony that floods after a rainfall. Fortunately, gulls have the luxury of being oblivious about potential leaks… in that temporary pond, I found a nestling taking one of its first baths!
The area is almost directly below the sidewalk on the bridge-deck. As I photographed the nestling, it looked up at me with its face illuminated by reflected light.
Restaurant nest
It was feeding time at Restaurant nest too.
From what I’ve seen in the short time I’ve been monitoring these nests, the adults are constantly at work. It’s remarkable that they can find enough food to feed up to three voracious chicks as well as keep themselves from starving.
Cambie nest chicks
I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty emotionally invested with all these gulls now.
…and so I was pleased to see both the chicks at Cambie nest crawl out from under an HVAC unit to scream for food from one of their parents.
Cambie nest test flight
I wasn’t quite ready for it so the photograph is blurry, but I caught a glimpse of one of the nestlings trying out its wings.
Cambie nest location
A photo showing the location of the original Cambie nest and where the chicks are now.
Until next time.