The air was heavy with smoke, the sunrise smeared into hazy tangerine. Remnants of trees flowing through in suspended rivers from the burning west.
Instead of the Anthropocene, Stephen Pyne suggests we have entered the Pyrocene: an epoch shaped by human-caused fire (including fossil fuels). His book The Pyrocene: How We Created an Age of Fire and What Happens Next changed the way I think about fire.
In the smoke, the gulls continue their lives. Now that we’re later in the season, some birds are fledging while other nests I missed are suddenly obvious. There’s a significant amount to get through, so let’s start.
Apartment Nest
I found this fledgling and a sibling on a lower rooftop beside Apartment Nest. They seem to end up here every year – maybe by choice, maybe by accident. This bird has completed moulted into its juvenile plumage. On the next survey I bet we’ll see it soaring around the nest site.
Apartment Nest
Both of the gulls from Apartment Nest playing with a piece of something. Whatever it was, I don’t think it was edible as they left it on the rooftop after playing with it.
Clipper Nest
The three fledglings at Clipper Nest lit by the smoke-tinged sun.
Burrard Nest #1
Back on July 23 I saw three chicks at this nest, but this week I was only able to spot one. Chances are the other two were hidden behind the ledge.
Burrard Nest #5 (new)
A new nest location that was a complete surprise. I’ve never seen evidence of a nest on this part of the bridge before, but here were two younger chicks with a parent – and they are clearly too young to have flown there from another nest.
Burrard Nest #5 (new)
A closer look at this new nest location. I have no idea where on the structure the actual nest was located.
Burrard Nest #5 (new)
A view of one of the chicks. I’d guess they’re about two weeks old.
Burrard Nest #2
A parent with a mouthful of starfish and three young about to be disappointed.
Beach Ave Nest
One of the fledglings from Beach Ave Nest was mulling around the outer ridge of the balcony.
Crossfit Nest
Two of the three fledglings at Crossfit Nest. Still the slightest bit of down on their heads.
Chimney Nest
One of the two remaining chicks begging a meal. The parent flew off shortly after this photo.
Grassy Nest
All three chicks were sleeping when I arrived. This nest often provides great photos of the young playing and testing their wings, but our schedules seem to be out of sync this seasons.
Engineer Nest
One of the three fledglings at Engineer Nest. The other two were resting in shaded areas on the rooftop.
Stage Nest (new)
While crossing the Granville Street Bridge, I happened to look almost straight down while checking out the recently discovered Bridges Nest. To my surprise, I found this chick looking up at me from the rooftop of the Lindsay Family Stage. Have I missed this location every previous year, or is it new this year?
Stage Nest (new)
A better view of the two chicks at this nest.
Culinary Nest fledgling (?)
This bird was wandering around the rooftop of the building Culinary Nest is located on. Perhaps it’s one of the young from that nest? There’s no way to confirm, but it would make sense.
Brick Nest
No sign of the little ones at Brick Nest this week. I still suspect they’re behind those vents, as the adult still seems to be watching over the site.
Rainbow Nest
The two chicks at Rainbow Nest were very vocal about getting something to eat.
Fountain Nest
Last week the adult was off the nest, but I wasn’t able to see any chicks. This week the adult was no longer at the nest site, which suggests that the nest failed.
Umbrella Nest
After last weeks’ disturbance I wasn’t sure what to expect this week. Examining the site, I was able to locate one fledgling wandering around the edge of the building. There are lots of spots to hide out on this rooftop, so the other two may have been tucked away somewhere – or they may have already fledged.
Silver Seas Nest
One of the chicks testing out those almost fully grown-in wings.
Silver Seas Nest
When an adult landed, the two chicks quickly ran to start begging.
Ikon Nest
This is a nest site I originally found back in 2024, so I’m not labelling it new. I’ve seen two adult gulls displaying nesting behaviour at the location this season, but this is the first hard proof that there is a nest with chicks on the rooftop. Three of them!
Continental Nest
The chick from Continental Nest is getting close to fledging age. Maybe another week or two.
University Nest
Likewise with the fledgling at University Nest.
Other Nests
Corner Nest
There were no fledglings present at Corner Nest. I checked all the surrounding area and lower levels, but couldn’t find evidence of either bird.
Burrard Nest #3
I was unable to see any birds present at this nest, which was surprising. I don’t think they were old enough to have fledged yet.
Sake Nest
I haven’t posted any photos of this nest for some time, since they tend to be of poor quality given the distance. The smoke from this pass made it especially bad. However, I was able to count at least two fledglings resting on the balcony.
Hotel Nest
I haven’t seen any adults or young around this nest for a few weeks. I am guessing it failed.
QGIS Map
Now that most of the young are more active and testing their wings I’m spotting new nests around the city. You’ll notice some nests located far off my usual route.
Until next time…