As spring fades in, I’ve become obsessed with watching the Bonaparte’s Gulls (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) migrating through on their way north. One of the smallest gulls in North America, they still hold many secrets. They breed in the boreal forests and are the only gull that regularily nests in trees.

Little is known about their breeding biology as they nest in remote locations and in small colonies, and the only serious study was done in 1934 by A.D. Twomey: Breeding habits of Bonaparte’s Gull. Remarkably, it’s a mere seven pages long (with one page of photos)… a humbling reminder of how utterly ignorant we are of most of the beings we share this planet with.

I’m already scoping out potential Glaucous-winged Gull nesting locations on my walks to and from work. I may have found a few new locations – although none that are easily visible.

I’m uneasy about monitoring nests this season as there has been a lot of work on the Granville Street Bridge. The west sidewalk has been blocked off to pedestrians for months, and I’m worried that it won’t be accessible by June. Am I going to have to put on a hi-vis vest and hardhat and do a little trespassing to view some of my most important nesting locations? Will I have to start a Patreon page to raise funds for bail? This is not something I predicted would become a significant concern in my life…

Until then, here’s a few recent photographs…

Bonaparte’s Gull

Bonaparte’s Gull

Bonaparte’s Gull

Horned Grebe

Red-Breasted Nuthatch

Anna’s Hummingbird nestings

Until next time… fight human ignorance however you can.

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