Sunday’s nest monitoring had a few surprises – but I’ve got to lead with the first chicks of the season at Culinary nest!

Culinary Nest

These were not a surprise to me – I work close to this nest, and on the previous Friday I ran up on my lunchbreak to check the nest. I didn’t have my binoculars, but I was certain I saw some shadows moving in the nest as well as the parents behaving differently.

That means these three chicks were at least three days old when I photographed them on Sunday. Good luck my little friends.

Pyramid nest

Shortly after I arrived, the adult on the nest became concerned as two younger birds landed close by…

It didn’t take long for me to notice that one of the birds was missing not only its left foot, but also a large part of its tarsometatarsus. Perhaps the result of an injury, or perhaps this bird was born that way. Either way, this bird seems to be managing with only one full leg.

Surveying from the east side of the Granville Street Bridge I spotted two new nests on Granville Island that I’ve never seen before. I don’t know if they’re newly established or if I simply missed them in previous seasons.

Brewery Nest

An easily visible nest tucked away by some cinder blocks on the rooftop of Granville Island Brewing

Umbrella Nest

Hidden away amid large pipes on the rooftop of the Arts Umbrella building I spotted the give-away bright white of a resting gull. It’s very difficult to get a good view, but I’m certain that there’s a gull on a nest in this photo.

Clipper Nests

Both gulls were on the nest at Clipper Nest #1 & #2. While processing the photos, I was surprised to see that an egg had been displaced from Clipper Nest #1.

Grassy Nest

One bird still brooding.

Chimney Nest

One bird sleeping on the nest. It’s entirely possibly both these nests have young chicks that are hidden beneath their parent.

Cambie Nest

Both birds were preset at the Cambie nest, however there was no sign of chicks yet.

Crossfit Nest

One bird brooding on the nest.

Restaurant Nest

One bird resting on the nest, no sign of chicks yet.

Fountain Nest

A nest I first spotted last year, occupied again this season.

Other nests

Engineer Nest

Bird on nest, while I was watching a gull flew too close the the nest, and the other parent appeared from nowhere to aggressively chase it away. After chasing away the interloper, the defending gull landed on an HVAC unit near the nest to continue keeping watch.

Design Nest

Adult on nest, no chicks visible.

Beach Ave Nest

An adult on the nest, just visible.

West Third Nest

I saw an adult gull on the far side of the rooftop, but I’m beginning to question if there is a nest at this location this season.

Brigade Nest

One gull on a nest and one resting nearby.

Burrard Nests #1, #2, & #3

This visit was the first time I spotted a bird on a nest at Burrard Nest #1. Both #2 & #3 had birds on nests as well.

Notable absences

Both Penthouse Nest and Ferrari Nest are empty this year.

You may recall Penthouse nest was disturbed last year so maybe that discouraged the gulls from nesting again? Or maybe both breeding pairs found better locations around the city?

On the uselessness of fake owls

And finally, in case you needed evidence that those fake plastic owls are entirely ineffective…

Until next time.

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