Category Archives: Birds

Birds

Long distance migrant

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.

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Lóuþræll – Dunlin – Calidris alpina

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.

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Birds

Shelduck with six chicks

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.

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Brandönd – Shelduck – Tadorna tadorna

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.

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Birds

Whimbrel on a fence post

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.

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Spói – Whimbrel – Numenius phaeopus

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.

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Spói – Whimbrel – Numenius phaeopus

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.

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Birds

Harlequins don’t go unnoticed

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Straumönd – Harlequin Duck – Histrionicus histrionicus

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.

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The photos are taken in Veiðivötn in the South Iceland Interior.

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Birds

Love birds

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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.

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Birds

Rivals driven away

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.

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Gargönd – Gadwall – Anas strepera

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.

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Birds

Colorful Teal

Urtönd - Teal - Anas crecca
Urtönd – Teal – Anas crecca / Þingvellir, South Iceland

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.

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Lake Mývatn, North Iceland

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.

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Birds

The vigilant Merlin

Smyrill - Merlin - Falco columbarius (male)
Smyrill – Merlin – Falco columbarius (male)

We spotted a pair of Merlins by Goðafoss. They were fighting with a Raven that was trying to get to their nest. This is the male but the female had gone back to the nest. Ravens are scavengers that do not hesitate to steal eggs from other birds’ nests if they get the chance . It did not succeed here and was forcefully driven away.

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