Despite being in my fourth year of nest surveying, the rapid events of late June never fail to take me by surprise. On this survey I spotted many chicks, as well as a new nest. Here we go…

Cambie Nest

By the time I arrived at Cambie Nest the day was heating up significantly. The two chicks we spotted last week – now around 8-10 days old – were hanging back in the shade, making it difficult to get good photographs.

Clipper Nest #2

The Clipper Nests are the start of my route, and upon arrival I spotted chicks at both nests. Here’s one of the parents and a chick peaking over the ledge.

Clipper Nest #2 chicks

Not long after, I spotted a second chick nearby, and it soon joined its sibling at the edge of the rooftop. These chicks look slightly older than the chicks at Cambie Nest… perhaps around two weeks old.

Clipper Nest #1

One, maybe two, chicks nestled in-between the cinder blocks at Clipper Nest #1. Historically this nest usually has three chicks. I expect we’ll see that again once they get a little older and start moving around more.

Crossfit Nest

The three chicks at Crossfit Nest were very active, wandering around the entire rooftop. One of them was curious about the moss – here you can see it tearing up a piece and examining it. These look like the oldest chicks out of all the nests.

Hornby Nest

One gull brooding on Hornby Nest.

Square Nest

No sign of chicks yet at Square Nest, although I suspect the young have hatched. We will almost certainly see them next weekend.

Umbrella Nest

Approaching Umbrella Nest I couldn’t see the brooding parent in the usual location, a good sign there are chicks about. I soon spotted one adult watching from atop an HVAC unit, and then another resting in the shade on the rooftop, with one chick beside it. Last year we had two chicks, so there is possibly another hiding around the corner…

Sake Nest

A new nest that I’ve not seen in previous seasons. Located on the same building as Umbrella Nest, but tucked away on a balcony on the south-west side. I’ve dubbed it Sake Nest as it’s located more-or-less above Artisan Sake Maker – I highly recommend visiting if you’re at all interested in saké.

Hotel Nest

Excuse the quality of this photo – this nest is about 340 meters / 1,100 feet from my vantage point on the Granville Street Bridge, making it a challenge to view, even with my telephoto lens. Despite that, you can jut make out two chicks below the parent. Is there a third? We’ll know as they get older and larger.

Fountain Nest

Both parents were present at Fountain Nest, and I suspect the chicks are hidden away in all the foliage somewhere. I spent a few minutes watching, but failed to spot them.

Klondike Nest (?)

Back in 2023 I discovered a nest on this building, and last year the evidence suggested there are two nests on the separate rooftop levels. I spotted adult gulls sitting attentively on both rooftops again during this survey – here’s an adult on the lower level.

Klondike Gull vs Crow

While walking on the sidewalk near the nest, the adult from lower nest becomes suspicious and takes up a position on a nearby lamppost. Today it was not only concerned by my presence, but was also being harassed by a crow that was diving at it.

Until next time…

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