Cambie Nest Chicks

I arrived at the Cambie Nest just as the parents were switching out their duties – and I spotted some tiny chicks, no more than a few days old. Worried that the adult would immediately start brooding, I unpacked my camera as quickly as I could. There’s still one unhatched egg – the egg in the background is broken, almost certainly the remains of the egg one of these two chicks emerged from.

Fortunately, the newly arrived gull stayed off the nest and tried to feed the chicks…

Cambie Nest

These chicks were so small and awkward that they had a difficult time walking to the adult, and the one going for the food in this photo tripped a few times while going up the edge of the nest. It was fascinating to watch the patience the adult had, carefully feeding the chicks. Remarkably different from the free-for-all feeding time when the chicks get older.

Cambie Nest

After feeding, the parent spent at least a minute adjusting and settling into brooding, carefully positioning the unhatched egg in with the two chicks.

Crossfit Nest

Both of the adults present, but neither on the nest… a tell-tale sign that the chicks have hatched. I scoured the area with my binoculars and camera to no avail.

Crossfit Nest chick(s?)

Checking the nest from an alternate viewpoint, I still didn’t see any chicks – but after checking the photos, however, I found at least one chick in the foliage.

Clipper Nest #1

A brooding bird in the new location. Looking closely, I’m fairly certain there is a chick underneath that wing.

Burrard Nest #2

Apparently no chicks yet at any of the Burrard Bridge nests yet. Here’s a brooding parent at Burrard Nest #2.

Pyramid Nest

One of the parents wedged into Pyramid Nest.

Pyramid Nest

Another adult gull keeping watch by Pyramid Nest. Given how close it was, I can only assume it’s one of the parents, otherwise it would get chased away. This is surprising, as last year both parents at this nest were banded.

Is this one of the parents? Is the brooding bird banded? Are these a completely different pair?

Square Nest

Still brooding at this newly discovered nest. We’ll get good views of the chicks once they hatch. I’m worried how exposed they’ll be – the parents will have to be vigilant.

University Nest

A bird brooding in the same location I saw last week. This must be a nest.

Hotel Nest (new)

While trying to get a good view of Umbrella Nest, I spotted a new nest I’ve not seen in previous seasons. It’s located on the rooftop of the Granville Island Hotel (which seems ridiculously overpriced – I’m glad these gulls are living rent-free.)

Umbrella Nest

Another angle on the Umbrella Nest.

Brewery Nest (inactive)

Although I saw a pair of gulls hanging around this location previously, it seems Brewery Nest is not active this year.

QGIS Map

As always, an updated QGIS map can be found here. You may need to force refresh the page for it to update properly.

Until next time…

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