Mid-to-late August brings new wonders and a heavy burden of anxiety that is barely perceptible to me at the beginning of the breeding season. A majority of the fledglings are strong enough to take flight, if only briefly and awkwardly. Seeing them wheeling around their nest sites, becoming surer of their new life and freed from the boundary of their natal rooftop is profound.
But with this also comes fledglings that fall off ledges before they’re strong enough to fly back up, fledglings stranded on the ground and sidewalks, often with injured wings – scared, weak, and with no experience of the dangers of humans, their dogs, and cars.
Repeater Nest
This was a new nest I found last weekend. I had seen this fledgling on the ledge of the building perhaps ten minutes before this. I was walking through a pathway on my way to check on the cormorants when I noticed this fledgling down in some grass…
Ahead of me, a woman with her dog had stopped to look – and I spotted both parents on the ledge above giving alarm calls. Thankfully the dog was leashed and the woman left quickly. I took a quick photo, confirmed the fledgling had no obvious injuries, and headed on Granville Island with a plan to check in on the fledgling when I left. If it was still grounded, I’d contact WRA and go from there.
Returning, I found the gull in a large field often used for off-leash dogs. I had packed my DSLR, but took out my phone to photograph it to report for rescue. A few moments later – and much to my relief – this buddy started running and took off.
Clipper Nest #2
After several weeks of not seeing any chicks or adults at this location, I spotted the two fledglings resting in the morning sun. I was able to find two of the three chicks from Clipper Nest #1 near the cinder blocks they are so fond of, so I’m confident that these are the original chicks from Nest #2.
Engineer Nest
Though I scoured the entire roof with my binoculars when I arrived, I was unable to locate any of the chicks. However, a parent soon showed up for feeding time, and two of the previous three chicks appeared from who knows where. I fear we may have lost the third chick, as it never showed up.
Grassy Nest
All three fledglings at Grass Nest were exploring the roof of the building, making short flights between spaces. Here’s two inspecting a part of the roof.
This one was getting significantly more lift than last week.
Culinary Nest
On this visit I only found two of the three fledglings, but these gulls are some of the older ones and almost certainly taking short flights. Here’s one of the fledglings resting by the nest where it was born sometime in late June.
West Third Nest
After almost the entire season believing there was a nest present, I finally spotted the head of a fledgling on the rooftop.
Fledgling in flight
Seen flying over the southern end of the Granville Street Bridge with a second fledgling. Maybe the Apartment Nest birds?
Rainbow Nest
Once again I was present for feeding time. All three fledglings accounted for.
Brewery Nest
Both of these younger chicks were wandering the rooftop. Here’s one near the original nest location.
Ikon Nest
Having only seen glimpses of the chicks before, I was lucky to get a view of three fledglings on this rooftop.
Sierra Nest (new)
I’m always hesitant to make a call on a new nest this far in the season. Older fledglings have taken wing and can show up on any old rooftop they want to land on. However, there are still some telltale signs – an adult guarding an area, or fledglings clearly coming out to beg food from an adult. I witnessed these two fledglings begging (unsuccesfully) from an adult that landed on their rooftop, and I’m confident this is a nest location.
Cambie Nest
There was no sign of the adult or fledgling at Cambie Nest when I arrived. I noticed that the rooftop has been cleaned again – note that all the nesting material has been cleared from the chimney area. You may recall this happening last year too, although earlier in the season. I suspect the fledgling was old enough to leave the location.
Other Nests
Burrard Nest #1
One fledgling out of nest on top of tower structure.
Burrard Nest #2
Two fledglings.
Burrard Nest #3
All three fledglings, one out of nest on top of tower structure.
Burrard Nest #4
One fledgling on top of bridge structure.
Pyramid Nest
One of the adults was present at the original nest site, but as I predicted last week, both of the fledglings are now on the lower level of the roof.
Beach Ave Nest
Briefly spotted and adult, no fledglings seen.
Crossfit Nest
I was unable to find any of the fledglings at this nest, or on any of the nearby buildings. Have they moved on for good?
Hornby Nest
I was only able to spot the adult at the nest location – no sign of the two chicks.
University Nest
One adult was resting in the usual location at the pinnacle of the building, but I saw neither of the chicks this visit.
Island Nest
Still no sign of a nest – I expected to see the chicks by now, even just fleetingly wandering the rooftop. I’ve not seen any adult gulls in the area either. But, I’m still uncertain, as the high ledge blocks off a lot of the view. That said, checking my posts from last year, I found young chicks at this nest on Aug 16th…
Umbrella Nest
One fledgling, one adult.
Silver Sea Nest
Two fledglings and one adult.
Brigade Nest
Despite attempts at viewing this building from other angles (albeit from street level), I’ve had no success in locating any young. I’m beginning to think there was either no nest here, or the nest failed.
Apartment Nest
One of the young ones was preening itself on the edge of the building, and I’m fairly certain I saw the second fledgling exploring a nearby rooftop.
Pine Nest
For the last week, I’ve seen these fledglings flying around the neighbourhood on my way into work. I witness them getting to close to a nearby nest and being promptly scolded and chased away by one of the parents.
Klondike Nest
Two fledglings seen on resting on the top level, then one on the bottom level on my way back. Two nests, right?
Hemlock Nest
No chick spotted this time, but an adult was clearly guarding the area.
Until next time.