The place does the Arctic tern, recognized for its extraordinary annual migration from the Antarctic to the Arctic, spend its summers? Like many people, it visits Iceland!
Iceland’s distinctive geography makes it an important stopover for tons of of species of migratory birds on journeys from North America to Europe, just like the higher scaup, West Africa to Arctic climes like purple knots, and past.
Over 400 avian species, each endemic and migratory, have been noticed in and round Iceland.
The island’s different landscapes, from the coastal cliffs of Latrajbjarg to the rocky shores of the Reykjanes Peninsula, inland wetlands round Lake Myvatn and tundra within the Skaftafell space of Vatnajokull Nationwide Park, present numerous ecosystems for a outstanding array of avian species.
Birding in Iceland isn’t only for summer season guests, both—its geography and placement make Iceland a year-round birdwatching vacation spot. Whether or not you’re exploring the bustling seabird colonies in summer season or tranquil lakes internet hosting wintering geese and majestic looking gyrfalcon, Iceland provides rewarding birdwatching in each season.
Gyrfalcon
Listed below are some seasonal highlights of birdwatching in Iceland:
Spring Birdwatching in Iceland (March – Might)
The place I dwell, individuals say crocus flowers are the harbingers of spring. In Iceland, it’s the plovers. The European golden plover, to be precise. A 3rd of the world’s golden plovers nest in Iceland.
Plovers herald spring, however puffins outnumber them. A lot of the world’s Atlantic puffins are discovered in Iceland, the place 60% of the world’s inhabitants breeds—that’s 8 to 10 million puffins nesting in rocks and cliffsides all through the spring and summer season!
Spot Seabirds on the Latrabjarg Cliffs
The Latrabjarg Cliffs are among the finest locations to watch seabirds in Iceland through the spring, together with Iceland’s iconic Atlantic puffin.
Although they spend most of their time at sea, puffins begin arriving ashore in late April. Throughout nesting season from late spring by way of September, puffins might be discovered on land, particularly within the Westman Islands and the Latrabjarg cliffs within the Westfjords. Recognized for his or her colourful beaks, fantastic waddle, and charismatic personalities, puffins are a customer favourite.
Mike Hillman, award-winning birder, Nat Hab Expedition Chief and Images Expeditions Co-Director, referred to as puffins “a beautiful rebuttal to the Southern Hemisphere’s penguins.”
The Latrabjarg cliffs come alive with the sights and sounds of breeding colonies within the spring. Along with Atlantic puffins, look out for:
- Razorbill: With their distinctive thick, black beaks, Razorbills are simply noticed among the many cliffs. They nest in crevices and below boulders, usually forming combined colonies with puffins and different seabirds. Razorbill nesting in Iceland begins in early spring.
Razorbills (Alca torda) sharing house with an Atlantic puffin in Iceland.
- Widespread Guillemot: also referred to as Widespread Murres, these are sometimes seen standing upright on the cliffs. They lay their eggs on naked cliff ledges in giant, crowded colonies.
A breeding grownup widespread guillemot, also referred to as a standard murre. Photographed by Nat Hab Expedition Chief © Lianne Thompson
- Northern Fulmar: Considerable alongside the cliffs, recognized for his or her stiff-winged flight and tube-like nostrils, they nest on ledges and crevices within the cliffs, usually in giant colonies.
Flock of Northern fulmars
- Black-legged Kittiwake: Acknowledged by their distinctive calls and black-tipped wings, kittiwakes are widespread on the Latrabjarg Cliffs. Lok for them nesting in densely packed colonies on slim cliff ledges.
Black-legged kittiwakes
- Brünnich’s Guillemot: Much like the Widespread Guillemot and sometimes seen collectively, however they like steeper cliffs and better elevations.
Brünnich’s guillemot (thick-billed guillemot) colony
Lake Myvatn Birdwatching in Spring
Extra species of waterfowl (round 16) nest on and round Myvatn than every other lake in Europe, making it a must-visit for birdwatching in Iceland. The realm is a chosen nature reserve resulting from its ecological significance. Species to identify within the spring embody:
- Tufted Duck: A placing duck with a particular tuft on its head, generally discovered within the waters of Lake Myvatn. Courtship shows begin in early spring.
Tufted duck, Lake Tjornin, Iceland
- Crimson-necked Phalarope: These birds are recognized for his or her spinning habits on water surfaces and return to breed in Might.
Crimson-necked phalarope, mating pair
- Horned Grebe: Notable for his or her vibrant breeding plumage and distinctive courtship behaviors.
Horned grebe
Thjorsarver Wetlands Supply Great Birdwatching
Central Iceland’s Thjorsarver wetlands are bounded by the Hofsjokull glacier to the north and volcanic deserts to the east, south and west. Over 46 sq. miles of lush wetlands function tundra meadows intersected with glacial and spring-fed streams, swimming pools, ponds, lakes and marshes, plus uncommon permafrost mounds. They type an essential oasis for plentiful birdlife in an space with little or no or no plant cowl. See if you will discover:
- Pink-footed Goose: With 6–10,000 breeding pairs, the Thjorsarver wetlands help one of many largest breeding colonies of pink-footed geese on the planet.
Pink-footed goose
- Black-tailed Godwit: These elegant waders return to nest in April and are generally seen constructing nests and rearing chicks throughout spring.
Black-tailed godwits
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula provides numerous habitats supporting a variety of chook species. It’s an excellent place to identify each widespread and uncommon birds through the spring. Species to identify embody:
- Crimson-throated Diver: Present in inland wetlands, getting ready nests for the breeding season.
Crimson-throated diver
- Redwing: Typically noticed performing elaborate music shows to draw mates.
Redwing
Spring provides a novel alternative to watch the intricate courtship and nesting behaviors of Iceland’s chook species. Search for acrobatic courtship shows and nest-building exercise birdwatching in Iceland within the spring, particularly:
- Whimbrel: Recognized for his or her distinctive calls and aerial shows throughout mating season.
Whimbrel
- Widespread Snipe: Prefers moist meadows and marshes, the place they will be seen constructing nests and rearing chicks.
Widespread snipe
- Eurasian Wren: These small birds are sometimes heard singing loudly from their nesting websites in dense vegetation.
Eurasian wren
As migratory birds return, the island’s numerous habitats present ample probabilities for birdwatchers to take pleasure in vibrant avian life. With species like the enduring Atlantic puffin and rarer birds such because the nice northern diver, spring birdwatching in Iceland guarantees an thrilling and rewarding expertise.
Mike Hillman shared, “One other spotlight for me is the northern wheatear that migrates between the Arctic and Africa, which needs to be fairly the surroundings change for them.” Search for northern wheatear performing aerial shows and singing to draw mates in spring.
Northern wheatear
Summer time Birdwatching in Iceland (June – August)
What will get began within the spring is in full swing all through the summer season. Birdlife is booming in Iceland’s lengthy summer season days. Throughout Iceland, you’ll see birds actively rearing and feeding their younger. Extra locations to birdwatch in Iceland embody:
Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands)
Atlantic puffins, photographed by Nat Hab Expedition Chief © Giulia Ciampini
The Westman Islands, situated off the southern coast of Iceland, are a hotspot for seabird colonies. Search for:
- Atlantic Puffin: The islands host one other one of many largest puffin colonies on the planet, with round 1.1 million puffins nesting there every summer season, housing roughly one-fifth of the world’s puffin inhabitants.
- Northern Gannet: Spectacular birds with placing white plumage and black wingtips, they’ve a wingspan of as much as 6.6 toes and are recognized for his or her spectacular plunge-diving habits.
Northern gannets photographed by Nat Hab Expedition Chief © Lianne Thompson
- Manx Shearwater: Typically seen gliding over the waters across the islands, they journey from their Icelandic breeding grounds to the coast of South America.
Manx shearwater
- Leach’s Storm Petrel: These small seabirds are sometimes seen feeding offshore; they’ve a particular flight sample, showing to “stroll” on the water as they feed on plankton and small fish.
Leach’s storm petrel
On Nat Hab’s Final Iceland Picture Expedition, we go to Borgarfjordur Eystri to {photograph} one other of Iceland’s largest Atlantic puffin colonies. We spend a number of hours amongst them on a puffin pictures intensive.
Arctic terns, Nat Hab Expedition Chief © Eddy Savage
As summer season attracts to a shut, many avian species in Iceland start getting ready for migration. Species that migrate particularly lengthy distances, like Arctic terns, purple knots, and manx shearwaters, begin their lengthy journeys again to their wintering grounds, whereas extra native species, just like the nice skua, stay lively within the wealthy late-summer panorama.
Nice skuas
Autumn Birdwatching in Iceland (September – November)
As autumn begins, birdwatchers in Iceland take pleasure in a interval of vibrant exercise as breeding and rearing younger offers option to preparations for migration, offering alternatives to watch numerous avian species in numerous levels of their life cycles. The combination of resident and migratory birds makes autumn an interesting and rewarding time for birdwatching in Iceland.
The Icelandic panorama transforms in autumn, with foliage altering colours, including a shocking backdrop to birdwatching—and your photographs.
Breidafjordur Bay in Autumn
Breidafjordur Bay, situated in western Iceland, provides a wealthy birdwatching expertise within the autumn, with quite a few islands and numerous chook species getting ready for migration or settling in for the colder months. Right here’s what you’ll be able to anticipate to see:
- White-tailed Eagle: These majestic birds—eBird calls them as large as a barn door—are sometimes seen hovering over the bay and nesting on close by islands. With a wingspan of over 8 toes, they’re amongst the largest birds of prey in Europe. Autumn is a very good time to watch them as they put together for the winter months, usually seen trying to find fish and small mammals.
White-tailed eagle
Nat Hab Picture Expeditions Co-Director Mike Hillman stated, “The good chook for me was the white-tailed eagle. It’s an enormous chook (eBird even describes it by saying, “Seems to be like a flying barn door”) you hope to come back throughout as you drive alongside Iceland’s scenic coastlines.”
- European Shag: Generally seen on rocky outcrops and nesting in island colonies, these dark-colored birds are wonderful divers, feeding totally on fish. In autumn, you’ll be able to watch their spectacular diving shows as they forage to construct up reserves for the winter.
European shag
- Widespread Eider: Massive flocks might be seen, notably round nesting websites on Iceland’s islands. Recognized for his or her gentle down, which is harvested sustainably for insulation, eiders are additionally recognized for his or her distinctive calls. In autumn, they’re usually seen in coastal waters, gathering in giant teams.
Breidafjordur Bay’s distinctive geography, with its myriad islands and sheltered waters, gives a sanctuary for quite a lot of chook species through the autumn months.
For these focused on experiencing Iceland’s birdlife in early autumn, Nat Hab’s Iceland: Circling the Land of Fireplace & Ice particular Autumn Itinerary provides an distinctive journey by way of the nation’s numerous habitats, offering distinctive alternatives to witness the seasonal behaviors of Iceland’s avian residents and migrants.
Winter Birdwatching in Iceland (December – February)
Winter in Iceland provides a novel birdwatching expertise for each hardy individuals and birds! The island’s panorama is remodeled by snow and ice. Regardless of the chilly, a number of chook species stay lively, offering wonderful alternatives for birdwatchers.
Reykjanes Peninsula Winter Birdwatching in Iceland
Not removed from Iceland’s capital metropolis, Reykjavik, the Reykjanes Peninsula is a superb place to watch seabirds throughout winter. The rugged shoreline and accessible areas make it a well-liked birdwatching spot. Search for:
- Iceland and Glaucous Gulls (Resident): Typically seen in giant numbers alongside the coast.
- Barrow’s Goldeneye, a species restricted fully to Iceland in its West Palaearctic breeding vary (Even right here although the birds solely spend just a few months every winter earlier than returning some 250 miles to the Myvaten space in northern Iceland. Search for them there the remainder of the 12 months.)
Barrow’s goldeneye
- Purple Sandpiper: These small waders are one of many few shorebirds that stay in Iceland throughout winter. They’ll be seen feeding alongside rocky coasts, usually in small flocks.
Crimson-breasted merganser
- Crimson-breasted Merganser: a particular diving duck recognized for its placing look and agile looking abilities.
Crimson-breasted merganser
Lake Thingvallavatn Birdwatching in Winter
Lake Thingvallavatn stays partially ice-free in winter, attracting numerous waterfowl. Birdwatchers can take pleasure in serene winter landscapes whereas observing these hardy species. Species to identify embody:
- Whooper Swan (Resident): Situated in Thingvellir Nationwide Park, Lake Thingvallavatn is among the largest lakes in Iceland. Geothermal exercise within the space helps preserve components of the lake ice-free, offering accessible meals sources for the swans.
- Gyrfalcons: Iceland’s nationwide chook might be noticed looking close to Lake Thingvallavatn in winter. This space of Thingvellir Nationwide Park gives appropriate open landscapes and habitats for gyrfalcons to seek for prey (particularly ptarmigan) through the winter.
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
The gorgeous backdrop of the glacier lagoon gives a novel setting for winter birdwatching, with alternatives to identify sea geese and different waterfowl. You would possibly see:
- Lengthy-tailed Duck (Resident): Typically seen within the icy waters of the lagoon.
Lengthy-tailed duck
- King Eider (Resident): One other spotlight for winter birdwatching on this space. King Eiders are a spotlight for winter birdwatching. Their colourful plumage and diving habits make them an interesting species to watch.
King eider, grownup male
Search for hardy snow bunting all over the place in Iceland in winter. From Iceland’s open tundra to craggy coastlines, snow buntings are well-adapted to the chilly and may be seen foraging in snowy areas. Their placing plumage makes them a pleasant winter sighting.
Snow bunting
Hearken to the widespread redpoll’s distinctive chattering name when birdwatching in Iceland in winter. It could possibly assist find them even in dense vegetation. Winter birdwatching in Iceland generally is a distinctive and rewarding expertise. The mix of gorgeous landscapes and adaptable species that thrive within the chilly makes for memorable birdwatching adventures.
Widespread redpoll
Iceland provides stunning winter birding, together with a number of specialty species for the West Palearctic, all inside an hour’s drive of the capital, Reykjavik. Additional afield, chances are you’ll spot white-tailed eagles patrolling the shoreline, gyrfalcons in search of their ptarmigan prey and harlequin geese at house on the wintery seas. It’s possible you’ll spot Iceland and glaucous gulls, snow buntings…even an Arctic Fox or orca!
Ptarmigan, photographed by Nat Hab Employees © Megan Transient
This time of 12 months provides one of the best likelihood of seeing the aurora borealis or northern lights—an added bonus for the hardiest of birders.
Migratory Marvels & Hardy Resident Birds 12 months-Spherical in Iceland
Iceland’s distinctive location, geology and variety of protected habitats imply it’s a year-round birdwatching vacation spot with over 400 endemic and migratory species, different landscapes and ecosystems, and a variety of unforgettable experiences.
Guillemots
