After the chaos and crescendo of last weekend’s monitoring (and several encounters with downed fledglings during the week), this weekend was quiet and calm. Heavy rains fell overnight, and the morning was overcast, providing a fleeting glimpse of fall. The change was echoed in many of the nests – now empty, the chicks fledged and starting life on their own. Time unfolds strangely for me when I start monitoring the nests. It becomes malleable and in some paradoxical Möbius-strip manner ticks along both quickly and slowly, yet somehow never any differently than any other time.

As we approach the end of the season, they’re be fewer and fewer nests to write about. So let’s begin with what we have left…

Pyramid Nest

I was only able to spy one of the two fledglings from this nest – I caught this one mid-stretch. What I loved about this photo is that the bottom of the gulls’ foot is visible. How often do you get to see that?

Burrard Nests

I spotted a total of three fledglings wandering around on various areas of the bridge top. I suspect one of them is from nest #1, the other two from nest #3 – but now that they’re able to fly, I can no longer be certain.

Clipper Nest #1 & #2

Starting my route at these nests, all I could spot was an adult lazily preening on the edge of the building. After a few minutes I continued on, only to see one fledgling fly in from False Creek and land on the rooftop. Was it one of the gulls born here, or was it a curious stranger?

Crossfit Nest

Like last week, the rooftop of Crossfit Nest was empty – but I found two fledglings preening and sleeping on a rooftop across the alley. Again, there’s no way of verifying these are the same birds, but it seems likely to me.

Hornby Nest

There are still two younger fledglings visible at this nest.

Grassy Nest

The three fledglings that grew up here are gone, and all we are left with is an empty patch of grass.

Engineer Nest

It took a while, but I eventually found one fledgling resting in the corner of the building.

Culinary Nest

Another empty nest. As I was arriving, an adult gull wandering in and sat down near the nest. I can’t help wondering if this is one of the parents, taking stock of another year.

Brewery Nest

Two chicks still present – our last to hatch.

Fledglings on the water

If you’re anywhere near False Creek, spend a minute or two looking out into the water – you’ll certainly see groups of these clean grey fledglings floating together. This year I’ve been increasingly focusing on gull behaviour, and these fledgling groups are not something I noticed last year. Obviously it was my lack of attention, and not something new they began this season.

Note the gull on the right carrying a feather.

Klondike Nest

I found at least two fledglings on the top level of the building. I didn’t see any on the lower level this visit.

Rainbow Nest

My visits to this nest frequently coincide with feeding – all three fledglings came out of hiding when a parent showed up to deliver some food.

Fountain Nest

Only an adult resting in the sunlight, no signs of the fledglings.

Repeater Nest

One fledgling, possibly the one from last week…

Umbrella Nest

I found one older fledgling resting atop the building, with a parent also sleeping nearby.

Silver Seas Nest

I briefly saw one fledgling as well as one adult standing guard.

Ikon Nest

Only an adult resting atop the HVAC system visible.

The rest of the nests I haven’t mentioned are also empty.

Until next time.

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