A Hooded Merganser (Mergus cucullatus) was on River Elliðaá and Elliðavatn in Reykjavík the other day. It is a beautiful bird and always a treat to see.
This bird was very shy and special care had to be taken to get close enough to photograph. The Hooded Merganser is such a spectacular bird with a prominent crest that it can raise and lower, as can be seen in the photo.
This lone Cormorant was sitting by the edge of the ice on Lake Elliðavatn near Reykjavik. Seems like it has not a bother in the world. Usually they prefer the shore and coastline but they can also sometimes be seen inland at dams, lakes and pits.
A Gyrfalcon was searching for prey by River Ölfusá yesterday. He flew over a flock of ducks and swans. They did not move and most stayed in the water.
Soon some Ravens came by and chased the Gyrfalcon away.
The Ravens are a tough bunch. This time the Gyrfalcon fled without a morsel to eat.
It is as wintery as can be, snow everywhere and thick slabs of ice that probably won’t melt until who knows when. Despite this the Blackbird has begun singing, a sure sign of the changing of the seasons. So we can not but be hopeful that spring will come this year also. In the twilight at around six o’clock in the afternoon it’s beautiful vocal song can be heard in the neighbourhood.
If you are not familiar with it listen on the web of the British Library:
http://sounds.bl.uk/Environment/British-wildlife-recordings/022M-W1CDR0001524-1900V0
Gjáin in Thjórsárdalur is a paradise of a place. It is a ravine, or narrow valley, with waterfalls, cold springs, interesting lava formations, caves and lush vegetation. The area is an oasis in vast contrast to the surrounding areas. The River Thjórsá flowed there in olden days forming the ravine.
The place is easy to reach in the summertime, about one and a half hours drive from Reykjavík and only a very short drive from the main road in Thjórsárdalur. It can be reached from two angles and both routes involve some hiking along footpaths or down rather steep paths.
The footpath takes you by the historic Viking farm Stöng . Visitors should trod carefully because of the fragile vegetation which is easily susceptible to deterioration by trampling.
The Goldfinch is holding on and seems full of energy. It is amazing to see how tough this bird is. There has been a blizzard and the frost has been down to – 12°C and the Goldfinch does not even roughen its feathers. We first saw the Goldfinch in the garden January 24 and it has been an almost daily guest since then.
A pair of Common Crossbills came by the garden last week, just this once, as far as we know. We are hoping that these beautiful tame birds come to stay. They eat sunflower seeds from the seed feeders.
The Common Crossbills come and visit every once in a while but more often we see them fly over without coming by.
In the snow yesterday and today birds have streamed into the garden in search of food. We counted 90 Redpolls, 27 Redwings, 10 Blackbirds, 5 Fieldfares, 50 Starlings, a Snow Bunting and a Goldfinch.
This is a bunch of hungry birds and we went out twice today to fill the feeding trays with sunflower seeds and corn, and to give them bread crumbs and apples.
The Goldfinch is still in Selfoss and coming every day to our garden. There was some concern that a Merlin had caught it last weekend. A Merlin made a swift attack and caught a bird but thankfully it was not the Goldfinch as we thought. The next day it appeared again in the garden with the group of Redpolls.
The Goldfinch is staying in the company of Redpolls behaving as they do and eating the same feed. In the last few days it has had to endure a blizzard, frost down to – 13°C and the attacks of a Merlin and a Short-eared Owl.
Again Redpolls have appeared in flocks in Selfoss hunting for food. In the last few days up to 40 have been in our garden. These chirpy and beautiful birds are welcome guests. Few of them were seen here before Christmas and birders and garden owners missed them and speculated as to their whereabouts. Some even maintained that the stock had declined or that Redpolls had fled the country. The truth is that enough seed was to be had in birch forests after a favourable summer. So there was no need for them to leave the forest in search of feed in urban areas. However, here they are again to the joy of probably everyone.
The photos are from this weekend in our garden in Selfoss.