The Parasitic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus) gets its name from stealing food from other birds. Doesn’t sound nice, does it? It is a seabird and also goes by the name of Arctic Skua. We think that is a better name.
The Arctic Skua is a migratory bird in Iceland and arrives here in early May. It can be found throughout the country. It makes its nest in sandy soil even in the interior although it is a seabird that stays mostly near the sea .
It seem that the Blackbird quite likes Iceland. Some years a ago they were vagrants but that has changed. We have more than 10 in the garden most days.
Today when it’s only 8 days to Christmas we bring you this little wood mouse that we have seen several times this year. The beautiful little thing has some different colour variations than the ordinary ones. – Here it is in the snow in the food set out for the birds at the family summerhouse, and the birds are glad to share 🙂
It’s 9 days to Christmas and we bring you this snowy Redpoll. It’s not only cold for humans, it’s cold for everyone, including birds. It’s been exceptionally cold for this time of year and blizzards day after day, something that one is not used to until January. – But it looks a lot like Christmas 🙂
The Red-Necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) is a wader and can often be seen on ponds, lakes and streams. With the Red-Necked Phalarope the roles of the sexes is reversed. After the female has laid the eggs she goes her way leaving the male with the responsibility of the nest and the upbringing of the chicks. They are migratory birds and leave for the winter. Some probably go all the way to the Pacific, West of Peru.
The European Robin is a vagrant in Iceland. It’s a long time since we had them in our garden, 20 years actually. This winter we have had two and one is still in the garden. We really like having the Robin and take care to leave food in its favourite place. Hopefully it will manage to survive the winter <3
There are a lot of Wood Mice in Iceland. They are well adapted to the cold and live in underground holes which they dig. They gather all kinds of seeds and stuff in their holes for the winter.
If it gets really cold they might try and get into your house or preferably your summerhouse and you will see their droppings next time you’re there.
It’s 11 days to Christmas and there is snow everywhere. It’s been snowing all morning and I think my car will not make it through our driveway. We walked to the baker this morning and got some bread from yesterday which they birds have been busy at all day. When it’s cold you need to eat more to keep warm 🙂
The Merlin is the most common predatory bird in Iceland. They prey on small birds, mostly feeding on Meadow Pipits and Snow Buntings. Sometimes they even manage to catch Starlings and Redwings.
Most of them are migrating birds and go to West Europe for the winter. There are always some that overwinter here and they follow the flocks of Snow Buntings that come into towns for food in the winter time.
In the last few days they have been daily visitors in the garden, both males and females. Although it is always sad to see them catch their prey, one can not but admire them for their agility and beauty when they fly low between the tree trunks.
It’s 12 days to Christmas and this little bird is so beautiful and tranquil in the snow. It seems that Redpolls are just made for these surroundings. –Remember to take time to relax and enjoy the little things in life.