The summer has been exceptionally good in Iceland and its effects can be seen in both fauna and flora in the interior. Golden Plovers, Ringed Plovers and Purple Sandpipers are common breeding birds in the highlands and for them life has been good. Breeding was very successful and when summer is coming to an end bigger groups than in recent years can be seen all over the Icelandic highlands.
The photos are from Veiðivötn (Fishing Lakes) in the southern interior.
Aldeyjarfoss is a waterfall in the river Skjálfandafljót which comes from Iceland’s, and Europe’s, biggest glacier, Vatnajökull. It is situated deep in the valley Bárðardalur where the highland road Sprengisandur starts.
The waterfall, although not much higher than 20 metres, is spectacular and no photo can give it enough credit. Beautiful black basalt columns are contrasted by the force of glacial water and the drive to the waterfall and short walk down from the parking space are so much worth it.
The surrounding landscape consists of lava fields and rich green pastureland, full of birdlife and sheep. There are also a few sheep farms in the area, because although remote and on the edge of the highlands, the area is one of Iceland’s best suited for sheep farming.
See map: http://mapcarta.com/17612214/Map
Last week we saw a Great Northern Diver (Gavia immer) sneak up on a Red-breasted Merganser with its chicks several meters from the shore. The Diver behaved like a sheepdog and prevented the group from going on the lake. It dived towards them and forced them up to the shore repeatedly.
The Merganser was on constant look out both on and under the water surface. Although the Diver’s mate and chick were in about 1 km distance the diver thought the Merganser and its chicks were a threat which should be kept at bay.
The Great Northern Diver is known for its fierce treatment of intruders that venture into its territory. It is known to dive under other birds wounding them with its spear-shaped bill. People have witnessed them killing both duck and geese chicks this way and even adult birds, such as the Long-tailed Duck.
The Gannet is the largest seabird in the North Atlantic. Gannets eat fish and flocks of them can be seen plunging into the sea from heights up to 30 – 40 metres. They spends most of their life at sea.
Gannets don’t reach maturity until the age of five. They breed in colonies by coasts and islands and usually lay only one egg.
Iceland’s second largest Gannet colony is at Stóri-Karl and Skoruvíkurbjarg in Langanes Peninsula. Stóri-Karl is a bird rock in the sea beside the cliff. These pictures are taken there.
Langanes peninsula is the northeasternmost part of Iceland and a treat for birdwatchers. It is one of the most remote places and there is only a dirt road so you should not be in a hurry. The road leads you to the narrow tip called Fontur where you have the North Atlantic surrounding you in several directions.
In Skoruvíkurbjarg and Skálavíkurbjarg are steep sea cliffs. The area is known for its rich birdlife and at Skoruvíkurbjarg is the second biggest Gannet colony in Iceland.
There is a very good birdwatching platform at Skoruvíkurbjarg where it is possible to see the Gannet, the Brünnich’s Guillemot, the Kittiwake and more at close hand. From the platform you have a view down to Stóri-Karl, a sea rock, which is home to the magnificent Gannet.
The Oystercatcher is mostly a migrant in Iceland and quite common in lowlands. It usually arrives in the middle of March making it one of the first migrants to great us and signal the coming of a new season. On our trip to the Northeast we came across this chick that was learning to find food on its own. Seeing it imitate the parent was more than adorable.
The Redwing is mostly a migrant in Iceland but some of them stay for the winter. There are always some in our garden and we feed them in the wintertime. This summer we have seen a number of young ones and parents that feed them diligently. Our main concern though is keeping the neighbourhood cats away and we think we have been quite successful this summer. We spread coffee grounds, along with egg shell, in the cats’ favourite hiding places and it seems they don’t want to get their feet dirty.
We came across a Ptarmigan family, parents with five chicks. Their camouflage colours in summer match the colours of nature so they are not too easily spotted. The chicks were quite small, perhaps a week old but already able the fly. Naturally the parents were busy trying to distract us, especially the mother though.
Usually the fathers leave the family shortly after the chicks hatch but this dad seems to be taking a responsible part in the upbringing.
All over the moors chicks can be seen – chicks of Golden Plovers, Black-tailed Godwits , Whimbrels, Redshanks, Common Snipes, Ptarmigans and more. They are all over the place, in bogs and moors. Now is the perfect time to observe nature at its most beautiful. Due to mild weather in May and June breeding and hatching went well.
Yesterday we saw Golden Plover chicks and Black-Tailed Godwit chicks in Grímsnes. They were well looked after by the parents.
The Great Northern Diver is without doubt king of its habitat in the interior. Most highland lakes with fish sport at least one couple who nest there every summer and raise their young ones. Usually the chicks are two and the parents take good care of them. It is not unusual to see the chick being transported on the back of the parents.
In Veiðivötn, in English Fishing Lakes, in the southern interior the Great Northern Diver stands out. Pairs are on most of the lakes and non-breeding birds can sometimes be seen in groups.
Not many things are more captivating than the Diver’s wails which can be heard all over the place in the stillness of the twilight.
