Early July and many nests now have chicks. Walking my route through the early morning city, it’s difficult to comprehend these small lives coming into existence amidst the concrete void.
Pyramid Nest
Two chicks at Pyramid Nest, with a parent keeping watch nearby.
Pyramid Nest chicks
A closer photo of the chicks in the morning sun.
Pyramid Nest chick
…and even closer.
Pyramid Nest Banded Gull
The other parent showed up – a banded gull that I saw at this nest site last year. Surprisingly, the other parent in the first photo is not banded.
Burrard Nest #2
A parent and chick at Burrard Nest #2.
Burrard Nest #4
Three older chicks and a parent.
Crossfit Nest
The chicks at Crossfit Nest are some of the oldest, probably around two weeks old. One was already trying out its wings.
Clipper Nest #2
I wasn’t able to get a particularity good photo, but I found three chicks at Clipper Nest #2.
Clipper Nest #1
The last few years I’ve found three chicks at this nest, but this season there only appears to be one chick.
Square Nest
The gulls at Square Nest are still brooding.
Sake Nest
An adult off the nest at Sake Nest, suggesting the chicks have hatched, though I wasn’t able to spot any.
Brewery Nest
It looks like the gulls at Brewery Nest are getting a start on nest building, a few weeks behind schedule. I spent a while watching a pair bring materials and then snuggle into the nest to form it.
Cambie Nest
The heat was much hotter when I finally got to Cambie Nest and the chicks didn’t emerge from the shade.
Cambie Nest Banded Gull
I’ve seen this gull on the lamp post not far from Cambie Nest on both my previous visits. You can see it is banded, but only with a federal metal band. Given it’s proximity, I am curious if it is the other parent? I’ve not seen a banded gull at this nest in previous year, so perhaps it has simply claimed that lamp post and isn’t seen as a threat by the nesting pair?
QGIS map
As always, you can see all the nests and updates on my QGIS map. I’ve added a few nests in North Vancouver submitted by an iNaturalist user, too. If you know of any nests I don’t, please drop me a line.
Until next time.