Category Archives: Birds

Birds

Limosa limosa islandica

Jaðrakan – Black-tailed Godwit – Limosa limosa, May 4, 2018.

The Icelandic migrators have had a harsh time this spring. The Black-tailed Godwit is lucky to have long legs to wade the snow and a fine bill to find insects, worms and plants. The first Godwits arrived in Iceland in the middle of April. Their winter grounds are along the coast of Western Europe from the British Isles and Holland, to the Iberian Peninsula.

The Icelandic Black-tailed Godwit is a sub species that only breeds in Iceland, Faeroe Islands, Shetland and Lofoten; in latin Limosa limosa islandica. It is a common breeding bird in grown wetlands and its numbers in Iceland, as well as breeding area, are increasing.

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Birds

Hail, sleet and snow in May

Gulls in the snow, May 4.

The birds do not seem as offended as the human by the hail, sleet and snow that seems to be never ending. Where is spring and summer for that matter?  Icelanders celebrated the First Day of Summer on the last Thursday in April, as always. That is the optimistic Icelandic spirit. Now, however, we are crying for summer.  According to the latest weather forecasts there may actually be some improvements on the way.

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Singing Chaffinch

Bókfinka – Chaffinch – Fringilla coelebs

Several finches have come by our garden this spring and some are here still. This male Chaffinch was singing in the garden a week ago. He stayed for three days but then was on his way probably continuing his search for a partner to spend the summer with.

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The Whimbrel has arrived

Spói – Whimbrel – Numenius phaeopus

The Whimbrel has arrived although not bringing with it the long awaited summer. We have had snow and hail in the last few days but hopefully that will not affect our newly arrived summer birds. The Whimbrel is  a long distance migrator and the winter grounds of the Icelandic Whimbrel are west of the Sahara in West Africa. The Whimbrels’ breeding grounds are in the Arctic, across America and Eurasia.

The Whimbrel usually arrives in Iceland in the beginning of May but this spring some had already arrived by the end of April. They are common in lowlands and in the breeding time the males try to catch the attention of the females by flying in circles, giving their loud, rolling twitter song. The Whimbrel is one of the migrants that has a place in the heart of every Icelander.

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Urriðafoss in River Þjórsá

Urriðafoss is a waterfall in River Þjórsá. The waterfall has been quite a concern in recent years with the planning of a dam for a power station further inland. Concerns have also been raised about the future of the salmon run in River Þjórsá.

With the growing numbers of tourists in Iceland, Urriðafoss has become quite an attraction in the last few years.  The waterfall is easily accessible from the main road, Road 1, about ten minute drive east from Selfoss.

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Little brown bird

Runntítla – Dunnock – Prunella modularis

This little friend is a new bird on my list, number 224. It was spotted a week ago in Sólbrekka, in Reykjanes Peninsula. The Dunnock is a rare vagrant in Iceland. It is small, quiet and often seen on the ground and on its own. The Dunnocks are noted for their singing. Dunnock means little brown bird.

The mating behaviour of the Dunnock is very special and rare among birds depending on the availability of food. If there is not enough food the females share several males, but if food is in abundance one male might monopolise many spouses.

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New species in the garden

Kjarnbítur – Hawfinch – Coccothraustes coccothraustes

A beautiful female Hawfinch is a new bird for our garden, number 51 to be precise. The Hawfinch stands out for its distinct colours and its blue beak. It is  similar to the Redwing in size and breeds throughout Europe and the temperate part of Asia.

The Hawfinch was very rare in Iceland but in recent years it has become an almost annual visitor. This bird is number two in Iceland this year but the other one was spotted in the east part of the country in early April.

With the temperatures rising the Hawfinch will probably become a more frequent visitor here as its numbers continue to grow in the British Isles. This well liked visitor has now been here for three days and we hope it decides to stay.

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Vagrant Swans

Black Swan and Mute Swan

These vagrants ended up in Iceland in Hemrunes in Skaftártungu in South East Iceland. They probably came along with the thousands of Whooper Swans that over winter in the British Isles.  The Black Swan is an annual guest with two to three spotted here each spring. The Mute Swan, however, is rarer here and only ten have been seen before.

Hnúðsvanur – Mute Swan – Cygnus olor (juv.)

The Mute Swan is a young one, thus the brownish colour. It is in its first winter and will not reach puberty until four years old.

Svartsvanur – Black Swan – Cygnus atratus

The Black Swan and the  Mute Swan get along well together and seem to have made a pact, having occupied a pond where they have been staying for a week.

The pond they occupy
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Redpoll with a white crown

Auðnutittlingur – Redpoll – Carduelis flammea

This little guy is easily recognisable from others of its kind because it sports a white crown instead of the usual greyish brown forehead. This Redpoll was here in the garden two days in November and appeared here one day last week. We have not noticed this colour variation before among the thousands of Redpolls that have visited the garden in recent years.

Ordinary Redpoll
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Teeming with Redwings

Just arriving – Redwings on Eyrarbakki coast

Yesterday the seashore at Eyrarbakki was teeming with Redwings. These are the migrants that arrived on April 3 in the thousands from their winter grounds in the British Isles. They are spread over the South coast, staying near the seaside because of the cold weather. The temperatures this week are going down to minus 6 – 7°C in the night-time.

Newly arrived Redwing on Icelandic shores

Some Redwings stay in Iceland for the winter but most migrate. Just on the shore at Eyrarbakki their numbers were estimated to be at least 500 – 700. The Redwing is one of the best loved migratory birds  in Iceland and its arrival is awaited and  welcomed because it signals the coming of the long awaited spring.

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