This sunny morning motivated me to tour around Halifax. My stops were Hartlen Point, The Dingle, Purcell's Cove, Ketch Harbour, Sambro Harbour, Fawson Cove and West Pennant.

The Eurasian Kestrel made an appearance near the shore line at Hartlen Point, my first stop. It was eating a bird, not surprising since rodents will be harder to find under these conditions of snow and ice. Sparrows and starlings are easy pickings for a falcon along the ocean shore.

Eurasian Kestrel

Eurasian Kestrel Eurasian Kestrel

After its meal the kestrel returned to its usual perch in the tall spruce by the settling pond at the golf course's clubhouse.

Eurasian Kestrel

There were lots of ducks at Sullivan's Pond including American and Eurasian Wigeon, Green-winged Teal and American Coot. The Hooded Mergansers were scared off by some birders that went too close to the open water at the south end of Lake Banook.

Eurasian Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon Eurasian Wigeon Eurasian Wigeon

The Green-winged Teal was a pleasant surprise on Sullivan's Pond.

Green-winged Teal

Green-winged Teal Green-winged Teal Green-winged Teal Green-winged Teal Green-winged Teal

Green-winged Teal

American Coot

American Coot

I went to The Dingle along a treacherous single lane road with lots of loose snow. The only place to park was at the concession area so I left and was thankful I didn't meet anyone going up the hill. Purcell's Cove hosted the usual suspects; goldeyes, scaups, eiders, black ducks and mallards. Ketch Harbour was quiet save for a single Canada Goose, possibly injured, and a Horned Grebe. The road to Sandy Cove was not worth the risk due to loose snow and compacted ice.

Sambro Harbour had a Dovekie this morning but I missed it. I did manage some decent photos of Black Guillemot.

Black Guillemot

Black Guillemot Black Guillemot Black Guillemot

The Glaucous Gull was still present on the rocks west of Martins Point in Sambro Harbour. It was too far away for photos but two Iceland Gulls did pose for me.

Iceland Gull

Fawson Cove had a surprising amount of open water and hosted a group of Common Loons, Common Mergansers and Black Ducks.

Common Loon

Common Loon Common Loon West Pennant was mostly iced in but there were a few divers near the edge of the ice.

It was a good trip!