Dodging dive-bombs: This hawk keeps the Halifax Waterfront free of pesky gulls
Meet Nova, the Harris's hawk! She works with Atlantic Falconry Services to patrol the Halifax waterfront and keep pesky seagulls at bay.
If you’re not stepping in seagull poop on the Halifax Waterfront, it means Nova is doing her job.
Nova is a 17-year-old female Harris's hawk who flies around every day, keeping pesky gulls at bay.
“These seagulls right here, they’re nesting on the rooftop, so they have their young up there, so they’re dive-bombing Nova to try to push the predator out of a nesting site,” points out Scott Jackson, Nova's handler from Atlantic Falconry Services.
Scott Jackson pictured with Nova. (The Weather Network)
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Jackson has been walking around the area with a coffee in one hand and a bird of prey for 11 years now.
Atlantic Falconry Services patrols both sides of the harbourfront, ports, and even landfills and compost facilities.
“As long as they know Nova’s here, she’s doing her job so they’re not sitting on the waterfront making a mess,” Jackson adds.
Many people flock to see Nova when she’s out hard at work, and Jackson encourages people to come up and ask questions.
Her squawk is worse than her bite.