June 8th, Sunday morning, was my first official round of gull nest monitoring. As I mentioned in a previous post, the route I’ve taken for the last few years is inaccessible in a few places. But I went where I could.

I didn’t grasp it at the time, but these footprints I found on an inexplicably sand-covered sidewalk summarized my state that day: disorientation. After ten months, I feel bewildered and disconnected from the gulls. It will take a few more weeks to get myself closer to them, for their lives to intertwine with mine.

Clipper Nest #1

The gulls at Clipper Nest #1 have moved from their traditional location near a wall (yes, the link says nest #2, but I messed that up at the beginning of last season) to the cinder blocks that are a favourite place for the chicks.

Clipper Nest #2

Located in the same corner as usual on the same rooftop as Clipper Nest #1

Burrard Nest #2 (?)

I spotted these two gulls carrying nesting material to one of the platforms on the Burrard Street Bridge towers that typically host four different nests. These birds were seemingly building their nest on a inner corner platform instead of the outer corners that have been traditionally used. I’m assuming it is the birds from what I used to call Burrard Nest #2, but that’s just a guess.

Pyramid Nest

One gull brooding, almost hidden from view. Last year I discovered that both adults at this nest were banded and one had a GPS tracker. Chances are these are the same gulls nesting again this year, and I’m eager to get some photos to verify that.

Beach Ave Nest

Often at this time of the season all I can see if the top of a brooding gull’s head. I’ve developed a keen eye and know where to look since many of the nests are made in the same spot.

Crossfit Nest

A brooding gull and partner at the Crossfit nest.

Crossfit Nest Rezoning

A development proposal sign from at one of the viewpoints to Crossfit Nest… The entire block is slated to be replaced by yet more condos. This will probably be the last year I’m privileged to watch these gulls.

Granville Street Bridge West

The closed-off west side of the Granville Street Bridge. This prevents me from watching a few major nest sites. While it wouldn’t be difficult to hop the fence, I’m not too keen on having the police roll up on me trespassing in an active construction site.

Silver Seas Nest

Another brooding gull peeking out over the edge.

Umbrella Nest

A brooding gull at a nest I first found last year.

Fountain Nest

Tucked away in the vegetation, you can just make our a brooding gull.

Other Nests

Rainbow Nest

I saw a pair of gulls on the rooftop, and one definitely looked like it was brooding.

Cambie Nest

Like the Granville Street Bridge, the west side of the Burrard Street Bridge has been closed off for work. I have seen a brooding gull at this nest while walking along the seawall below it. Yesterday it looked like the west side was open again, and I will check on next weekend’s round.

Pelagic Cormorant Nest

Along my route I take a detour to Granville Island to a spot underneath the Granville Street Bridge. In the girders I counted at least two dozen Pelagic Cormorant nests, although there are probably the same amount or more I can’t see. The two cormorants on the right are juveniles.

Pelagic Cormorant Nests

A group of nests tucked along the girders.

Until next week.

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