Quick trip to Halifax on Friday in search of two truly rare birds that had been seen and reported on NARBA (North American Rare Bird Alert). And while I was there, to also hopefully track down three alcids (in the auk family) that I have yet to see. First, the really good news: saw the two rarities - Eurasian Kestrel, yesterday on a golf course on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean (the bird was perched on top of the spruce tree on the right in the background, photo above); and yesterday morning, traveling two hours each way through the woods on snowy roads to visit the home of Kathy and Blane in Apple River, who have had a Fieldfare (from Europe as well) feeding on their one apple tree in the back yard for the past several weeks (bird photos above from Google Images)!
The still very good ‘but’ news: driving around the bays and inlets around Halifax, ended up seeing two of the three alcids (Thick-billed Murre, and Black Guillemot (photos by Google Images below), but dipped on the Dovekie. Next time.
And two last photos showing the extent of the snow and ice buildup around Halifax; this is at a parking lot of a very popular dog park. That morning I must have driven by a hundred families with ice chippers of various types and configurations in their driveways chipping away.
This place is beautiful, first time visit for me. But what if I needed money?!
