Last Friday (July 20th) was the first night of the ‘Honda Celebration of Light’ fireworks. As if Honda hasn’t done enough for us… thanks guys!

Our primate brains may go wild for colourful explosions in the sky, but research unequivocally shows how dangerous and terrifying these events are for pets and urban wildlife, in addition to their detrimental environmental effects.

• Not just a flash in the pan: short and long term impacts of fireworks on the environment
• The Devastating Effects of Fireworks on Pets and Wildlife
• L-band radar quantifies major disturbance of birds by fireworks in an urban area

I suspect I was one of the few people in the city worried for the gulls nesting on the Burrard Street Bridge, located adjacent to English Bay, where display takes place.

Burrard Nest #4

Most of the chicks closest to English Bay (Clipper Nests, Burrard Nests) were accounted for on my visit, though I couldn’t see any chicks at Burrard Nest #4 (above, the most directly exposed nest), or at Pyramid Nest. I suspect (and hope) that they were nestled up, sleeping in a spot I couldn’t see.

Clipper Nest #1

All three chicks were lazing about their favourite cinder blocks.

Clipper Nest #2

It was brief, but I saw two little heads pop up above the ledge.

Crossfit Nest

Only one chick was visible at this nest, out in the open stretching its wings and begging for food from a nearby napping parent. I hope the other two chicks are still there, but I couldn’t see them from any of the vantage points.

Grassy Nest

One chick was sleeping in the corner while the other two were busy preening close to a napping parent.

Engineer Nest

All three chicks were exploring the rooftop as a parent kept watch from on top of an HVAC unit.

Chimney Nest

This was interesting – a pair of gulls were inspecting this previously abandoned nest when I arrived. Are they the same pair who were unsuccessful, or is it a new pair taking over the location? Are they going to try breeding here this late in the season? I’m curious what we’ll find here next weekend.

Hornby Nest

A slightly better photo of the two chicks at this nest.

Culinary Nest

I was very pleased and relieved to find all three of these chicks resting in the shade. These are some of the oldest chicks, and they’re getting into their ‘old balding man’ phase as their juvenile feathers replace the down on their heads.

Restaurant Nest

After the discovery of the broken eggs last week, it seems that this nest has been abandoned. Strangely symbolic that all the vegetation that was growing at the nest site has withered away.

Pine Street Nest

I was able to confirm on this visit that there are not two, but three chicks at this nest.

Klondike Nest (new)

I found a nest here last season and have been checking on all my visits with no success. This visit I got my first glimpse of one chick.

Brewery Nest

Two of our youngest chicks, resting under the eye of a nearby parent.

Cambie Nest

Quiet as usual at this nest, the chick sticking to the shade with a parent standing gaurd.

Other Nests

Burrard Nest #1

One adult and one chick.

Burrard Nest #2

One adult, two chicks.

Burrard Nest #3

One adult, two chicks.

Pyramid Nest

No sign of the chicks, but they’re probably sleeping behind the ledge of their pyramid. One of the banded parents was resting nearby.

Design Nest

Both adults were resting on nearby ledges, but I didn’t see any chicks. They’re almost certainly hiding out in the shade where I can’t see them.

Beach Ave Nest

No sign of adults or chicks.

Umbrella Nest

After some searching, I found the two chicks resting in some shade.

Apartment Nest

One adult on the rooftop, seemingly interacting with chicks, but I was unable to actually see them.

West Third Nest

Again, no sign of chicks – only an adult seemingly keeping watch.

Rainbow Nest

Another surprise – I had only spotted one chick at this nest last visit. Today I counted three.

Fountain Nest

Spotted both chicks again.

Silver Seas Nest

Briefly saw the head of one chick above the ledge.

Ikon Nest (unconfirmed)

Still no proof this is a nest other than behaviour.

Brigade Nest

I was able to spot two adult gulls, seemingly resting and on the lookout. Going through the photos I took, if I zoom in a lot and squint, I think I can see something that looks very much the shape and colour of a chick.

Sign-off

Thank you for persisting through my obsession with nests and chicks. I imagine it can be tedious and rather dry at times. I suppose I really don’t need to report on every nest here.

I’ll be posting something in the next few days about an excursion I took during these nest visits to check in on some other nesting birds…

Until next time.

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