I made it out to check nests on both Aug 18th and Aug 20th and have a considerable amount to catch up on in this post.
I’ll warn you in advance that it’s been a challenging time – many of the fledglings are now leaving the nests, some more prepared than others, some luckier than others.
Rainbow nest fledgling (?)
Passing near an abandoned trolley station near Granville Island, I noticed a fledgling gull hiding in the shade. I carefully made my way around it to get a better look.
Given the location, I think this bird was a fledgling from the Rainbow nest, located just east of the station. One or two fledgling gulls circled above, and an adult sat on a nearby telephone pole. I assumed they were all from the same nest.
I spent 10-15 minutes watching this bird, since it seemed a little young to have left the nest. I noticed its’ left wing was drooping – possibly a sign of injury, although I have seen many birds holding a wing like this fly away effortlessly.
Concerned, I contacted Wildlife Rescue Association (a remarkable organization, please consider donating to them if you can) to ask if this bird needed help. We agreed the bird looked healthy, and they suspected the parents would guard and feed it. They recommended I check in on it within the week to see how it was doing…
Rainbow nest adult (?)
…when I returned on the morning of Aug 20th, the air filled with smoke from wildfires, I couldn’t find the fledgling anywhere on the platform. I photographed this adult, which was watching me from a nearby telephone pole and occasionally chattering. This made me suspect the fledgling was somewhere nearby, so I looked harder at the shaded and overgrown areas surrounding the platform, but found nothing.
As I was leaving I noticed the body of the fledgling on the old railway tracks. There were no obvious injuries, and I don’t know how or when it passed. I spent several minutes sitting on the platform beside it – to what end, I’m not sure. Perhaps just to serve as a witness?
The same day, I found another fledgling dead on a busy street in downtown Vancouver. I wonder if I could have done more for this bird, but this is the unforgiving world these gulls grow up in.
Crossfit nest (?)
I might be grasping at straws given that many fledgling can fly now, but I saw this young one resting in the vicinity of the Crossfit nest, and I can’t help thinking it is one of the chicks born there.
Pyramid nest
When I passed Pyramid nest on Aug 18th, I didn’t spot any birds. I assumed they were resting out of sight. But, on the 20th, I discovered two young gulls wandering on the same roof about 40 meters away. I’d put money that these were the same gulls.
Grassy nest
In a strange reversal, the chicks from Grassy nest have decided they prefer the smaller space on a chimney platform. Clearly these two can fly at least short distances. Perhaps the fledgling on the right isn’t sure enough of its wings yet?
Grassy nest
Here’s a photo from further away showing the fledglings in relation to the Grassy nest. Also, Chimney nest is just out of the photo on the right hand side.
Apartment nest
The two fledglings from Apartment nest were taking circling flights around the block near their nest. This one landed on a lower roof next-door to Apartment nest, allowing me to get this detailed portrait.
Design nest
On my first visit on the 18th, I didn’t spot any gulls here, but on the 20th I saw this fledgling. Perhaps one of the original chicks? Or maybe a fledgling exploring the wider world.
Ferarri nest
Here are the two chicks of Ferarri nest napping on a corner of the rooftop. On my previous visit, one of them was methodically walking to the far end of the roof and tentatively flying back to the opposite side. Once there, it would walk – not fly – back to its starting point and repeat the process.
Island nest
They weren’t out for long, but a brief arrival of a parent coaxed these young ones from cover. I’m pleased to see all three accounted for.
New: West Third nest
Approaching Restaurant nest, I noticed this fledgling on the rooftop of a nearby building. I couldn’t find the gulls from Restaurant nest, and was curious if this was one of them who had managed to make it up to this rooftop.
Looking closer, I could see this gull was considerably younger than its neighbours – then I spotted the fledglings from Restaurant nest across the alleyway, wandering on a rooftop to the west.
Then I heard the distinctive begging call of a chick and noticed a head pop up on the same roof as this bird…
New: West Third nest, second chick
Here’s the second chick from this new nest, which I’m uncreatively calling West Third nest – because it’s on West 3rd Ave. The adult bird which was the subject of this begging was resting on the vent which you can partially see on the right.
New: Pagani nest
Here’s another nest I spotted a few visits ago. I was originally unsure if it was a nest or if some fledglings had decided to rest there. After three occasions seeing two fledglings, I’m quite certain this is a new nest. It’s on a building with a Pagani sign (some ridiculous high-end car dealership), so it’s Pagani nest.
New: Silver Sea nest
Finally, another new nest. I spotted this nest last year during my surveys, but each time I checked it this season I couldn’t find any chicks. However, this rooftop has numerous areas that can’t been seen from the bridge deck, and the chicks must have been tucked away in one of them whenever I passed by.
This nest is on a building named Silver Sea that looks vaguely like a cruise ship. Yeah, really. No offence if you happen to live there, but the coolest thing about your home is that gulls nest on the roof.
Anyway, this is Silver Sea nest.
Until next time.