Gull Nest Survey, Jul 9th

July 12, 2026 - 4 mins read

Series: Nesting Gulls 2026

I’m late with this update because I’ve spent the last two days searching out some mycoheterotrophic plants around Metro Vancouver. More on those in another post.

I won’t rant too long about it, but a recent post on The Convivial Society entitled Feeding on Illusions has stuck with me since reading it. An excerpt that succinctly summarizes why I try and get away from screens and into the real world:

… a simulation, however compelling or sophisticated, will always be an illusion. And we will know this chiefly by attending to our own subsequent experience: “when you eat illusions you end up hungrier than before.”

I have to acknowledge that these photos are ultimately illusions too. Pixels of red, green, and blue transmitted through unfathomable systems to get from my camera to your screen. I can only trust they act as a gateway to get you looking more closely at the world.

Lots of activity at the nests – let’s get a start.

Cambie Nest

Upon arriving at Cambie Nest, I could only see one chick of the three on the chimney platform. Not entirely surprising – they tend to fall or jump down to the lower roof once they get older.

Cambie Nest chicks

It took a while to find them, but I was able to account for all three of the chicks.

Cambie Nest wing stretch

Testing our those wings! You can see the flight feathers still mostly in pin.

Culinary Nest

I could only spot an adult gull on lookout when approach Culinary Nest. The chicks were not in the usual hide-out where I found them last week. I assumed they went around the back of the balcony which is not visible from the bridge, but as I was starting to leave I noticed them tucked away on the balcony almost directly below the bridge. They were sleeping on a discarded umbrella. I can’t help but wonder if it was just chance, or if the colours drew them to it?

Culinary Nest yawn

These are the oldest chicks on the route and you can see how quickly they’ve developed since we first saw them less than a month ago. Notice they’ve become a dull grey brown now and their wing and tail feathers are rapidly developing.

Chimney Nest

This was something! I found three chicks at Chimney Nest – one of them clearly hatched a few days later than the others and is noticeably smaller and more orange.

Grassy Nest

The three chicks hanging out near their corner with a parent napping nearby.

Corner Nest

The two chicks at Corner Nest seem to be doing well. Check out the sleepy chick in the back.

Pyramid Nest

I was able to spot at least two chicks tucked away at this nest. This seems to be the usual number for this nest.

Beach Ave Nest

I suspected this nest was active again this season, but here’s the first proof: one chick peaking over the edge of the roof.

Burrard Nest #2

Finally seeing some activity on the Burrard Nests. They’re a challenge to photograph as they’re on the tops of the bridge towers.

Burrard Nest #3

At least two chicks here.

University Nest

At least one chick at University Nest. It vanished into the foliage not long after this photograph.

Continental Nest

So far I’ve only spotted one chick at this nest. Back in 2024 I confirmed two.

Engineer Nest

I couldn’t find any of the chicks at first, but a parent arrived and they all rushed out. Feeding time consisted of a floppy half-digested starfish that the chicks proceeded to fight over.