Gull Nest Survey, Jun 18th

June 19, 2026 - 4 mins read

birds
gulls

Series: Nesting Gulls 2026

After a few hectic days I’m finally getting a chance to write an update about last Thursday’s nest survey. I’ll have another post soon about an amazing experience I had yesterday, but that will have to wait.

I’m nearing the end of book by Richard Holloway titled Stories We Tell Ourselves: Making Meaning in a Meaningless Universe. One of the ideas he explores is our drive for certainty and the dangers implicit in it. While his focus is on society and religion, I couldn’t help reflecting on his thought in relation to birds and the natural (aka real) world.

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say I’m more familiar with Glaucous-winged Gulls than most people. This is my forth summer watching them nest, watching the chicks grow and encounter the world, and eventually vanish into the city sky. Yet I feel more uncertain about their behaviour and experience every year as more and more questions arise in my mind.

I’m also reminded of Helen Macdonald’s book Vesper Flights. I don’t have the book anymore, but to paraphrase from memory: animals and the natural world are not here to teach us, but we can learn from them.

To me, that is at the core of bird-watching or any type of curiosity about the natural world. As your attention grows and deepens, gateways and paths merge, diverge, and twist deep into mystery.

Klondike Nest

The parents on this nest tend to get quite defensive - the sidewalk on the bridge on-ramp is a little too close for their liking. Here’s a parent on the same light post last year giving me a talking-to. I couldn’t confirm if there is a nest there, but I suspect so.

Culinary Nest

Passing Culinary Nest, I saw two adult gulls napping in the sunshine. I was so distracted by a new nest located nearby that I failed to realize there were two chicks in the nest! It should have been obvious given neither adult was brooding on the nest, but it completely escaped me until I was processing my photos.

Culinary Nest chicks

Here’s a closer look at the two chicks, probably only a few days old.

Brick Nest (new)

Remember last survey where I spotted those two gulls resting on the rooftop? A new nest has been established not far from where they were. Maybe it’s the same pair?

Brick Nest close-up

A closer view of the new nest.

Brick Nest / Culinary Nest

A wider angle to show where the nest is located in relation to Culinary Nest.

Loafing Gulls

These two adults were loafing on a rooftop east of Rainbow Nest. I couldn’t spot a nest anywhere on the rooftop, but it seems like a good location.

Rainbow Nest

An adult on what looks like a nest.

Old Bridge Nest (new)

Another new nest location. I’ve seen gulls on this rooftop before, but never any evidence of nesting. Clearly that has changed. This nest is located on the building west of Rainbow Nest and should provide some great photos.