The mission today was to visit the north end of the Oak Street Bridge to determine how many nesting gulls I could find there. I was expecting to find a lot – there are a lot of large gravel rooftops located right beside the north arm of the Fraser River.
Pedestrian On-ramp
Most of the area around the bridge is comprised of heartless industrial buildings and run-down apartments. The sidewalk leading onto the bridge betrays how little it is used by pedestrians.
Rooftops
As I made my way across the up onto the north-east side of the bridge, I spotted what looked like very promising locations for gulls to nest.
But even at this point I could tell there wasn’t much activity… I searched the roofs with my binoculars, but was only able to find two nests.
Oak St. Nest #1
The first and most obvious nest I spotted. Both parents were there, one on the nest and the other keeping watch from a chimney nearby.
Oak St. Nest #2
Slightly further away, this nest has an interesting construction, built on top of what seems to be cinder blocks meant to keep the satellite dish stable. One of the parents was present, brooding on the nest.
Under the bridge
I crossed the bridge and checked the roofs on the north-west side, finding no nests at all. Slightly disappointed, I decided to do some exploring of the decommissioned tracks that run under the bridge. A decade or so ago I used to do a lot of photography of graffiti, visiting alleyways and train yards, occasionally committing a little light trespassing. But Vancouver has become a much sketchier city with the impact of ever increasing poverty and the endless drug crisis, and I’m significantly more judicious about where I wander.
Until next time.