Why do I do this?

It’s a difficult question to answer.

I have one free day a week, yet I get up early and wander through the city documenting gull nests. I feel strange and awkward walking across the bridges with my binoculars and camera, but I keep doing it. Who else is watching these gulls? It’s a privilege to watch the lives of these birds unfold.

Maybe I pass on a modicum of the wonder I experience to the few of you who visit my website. Maybe one or two people will spend a few moments more watching and contemplating the lives of these ubiquitous but ignored birds.

Square Nest chicks

The three chicks at Square Nest were gathered together with no adult nearby that I could see – a strange situation for such young birds.

Pyramid Nest chick

One of the chicks from Pyramid Nest caught mid-begging cry.

Pyramid Nest chick

The other chick at Pyramid Nest.

Burrard Nest #4

The three chicks at Burrard Nest #4 begging a nearby parent for food.

Clipper Nest #2

The chicks from both Clipper nests are nearly ready to fledge.

Beach Ave Nest

All three chicks at Beach Ave Nest were hanging out on the ledge of their roof.

Grassy Nest

I was surprised to discover that the west side of the Granville Street Bridge was finally accessible this weekend – it was profoundly strange to visit these nests that I recall from last year. Here are the three chicks at Grassy Nest.

Chimney Nest

…and two chicks at the ridiculously small Chimney Nest.

Engineer Nest

A parent had just arrived at Engineer Nest – and the chicks were fighting over the food their parent brought them.

Island Nest

And the same eternal battle playing out at Island Nest…

Culinary Nest

Arriving at Culinary Nest, I was unable to spot any chicks. They were not in any of the spots that I’ve found them at in previous years. Have they already fledged? It’s possible, as this has historically been one of the earliest nests.

West 3rd Nest

A lone chick at West 3rd Nest.

Granville Bridge West

Despite being able to check in on quite a number of nests on the West side of the Granville Street bridge, the off-ramp I used to go down is still closed off – and so I was unable to check in on a few more nests that I know of from previous seasons.

Pelagic Cormorant

Nearing Pyramid Nest I spent a little time watching this Pelagic Cormorant shuffling along the edge of a building. They are such beautiful birds.

Urban Farm Netting

Nothing to do with gulls, but I saw this on my wanderings and thought it was visually interesting.

QGIS Map

Most of you already know, but those who don’t – my QGIS generated map of all the nesting locations can be found here: https://kmkrebs.com/qgis

Until next time…

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