This ringed Black-tailed Godwit was spotted in the Bird Reserve in Flói, South Iceland, 30 June. The bird was ringed in this same spot on June 24, 2011. It has been spotted in the UK and near the place of ringing every year since then.
Black-tailed Godwits are quite obvious at this time of year. They are loud and try to protect their chicks and eggs from predators.
Dunlins (Calidris alpina) are migratory birds that usually arrive in Iceland in May. They are long distance migrants that breed in Arctic regions. The European population’s winter grounds are in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Birds that breed in Arctic areas in Canada and Alaska only migrate to the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America. Some Dunlins overwinter on the south coast of Spain and Portugal.
A lot of Dunlins breed in marshlands in South Iceland. This one was in The Bird Reserve in Flói, South Iceland. The Icelandic breeding population is estimated around 270,000 birds.
Shelducks (Tadorna tadorna) are annual guests on Ölfusá River by Selfoss. They arrive in the end of March and stay in a group by the riverside until May. Then they disappear and appear again with chicks in the end of June. They probably breed by the river both above and below Selfoss.
The photo is of a pair that had six newly hatched chicks. They were seen by Öflusá River on June 30. Only two of the chicks agreed to be on the photo.
It is the time of year when the Redshank is most noticeable. They often sit on fence poles calling loudly. The reason for this is that the chicks are out of the nest and hopping around within their territory.
The Whimbrel is a wader, has long legs and a long curved bill. It is a migratory bird, a symbol for the coming of summer. Its song is very special, – listen to it here.
The Whimbrels are quite common in Iceland and breed all over the country both in lowlands and highlands. The eggs are usually 3 or 4 and the parents both take responsibility for keeping the eggs warm.
Despite this the Whimbrel is one of the birds that are listed as a threatened species in the UK. It has the status Red which means that the species needs urgent action.
I came across this beautiful Whimbrel this morning in the Bird Reserve in Flói. Already the ones who did not breed are starting to flock and thinking about their long flight back to their winter grounds in Africa.
The Harlequin Duck does not go unnoticed in the males bright maroon, white and blue colors. The males do not give up and try to catch the attention of the females although breeding time is well on its way. The Harlequins like spring water rivers and the individuals that do not mate gather in flocks.
The photos are taken in Veiðivötn in the South Iceland Interior.
We enjoy watching out for the birds in our garden and feeding them. Spring and summer are something we look forward to – the time when everything comes alive and the birds start courting and nest making. But summer time is not all blizz. Almost everyday newly hatched chicks fall prey to overfed house cats. This sketch is an interpretation of a pair mourning the loss of a young one.
Mýtvatn is the place in Iceland where you can expect to see the Gadwall (Anas strepera). They can very often be seen in pairs because they find their mate as early as late autumn and stay together the whole winter.
Here we see a male vigorously chasing a rival away from his mate.
The Gadwall is known for stealing food from other ducks. They are widespread and increasing in numbers. In Iceland they mainly breed in the North, around Mývatn.
In our last Wagtail blog the White Wagtail had its beak full of nesting material. Now it has its beak full of flies and larva for its young ones. We have not spotted the chicks yet but they stay in the nest until they can fly. The Wagtail lays eggs only once each summer, not twice or three times like the Thrushes.
The smallest Icelandic duck is the Teal (Anas crecca). It is also one of the most colorful ducks, as well as perhaps the most beautiful.
It can be seen all over Iceland, both in lowlands and highlands. It is, however, usually not easy to get close to it as it is shy and easily disturbed.
