The European Shag mostly keeps to the shore and is seldom seen far from land. It breeds and lives in the Northeast Atlantic and the Mediterranean. In Iceland it mostly keeps to the West coast, in Faxaflói and Breiðafjörður. Its nest is in sea cliffs, islands and bird colonies and it lays one to six eggs. The European Shag is a good diver and mostly lives on small fish.
The estimated breeding population in Iceland is 4,900 pairs.
The Lesser Blackback (Larus fuscus) started breeding in Iceland around 1920. Since then its numbers have been increasing and now the Lesser Blackback is a breeding bird in all lowlands. It is the only Gull that is a migratory bird here, having winter grounds in the Pyrenees Mountains and North West Africa. They come back to Iceland very early, before spring arrives. The first Lesser Blackback arrived here in February. The breeding population counts around 50,000 pairs.
This photo is taken in Selfoss April 16, 2014, the second time I came across this indivual bird. It was banded as a small chick in August 2003 in Garðaholti in Álftanes. The first time I saw it was also in Selfoss May 9, 2011.
The first news of the arrival of the Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) has been issued. It is said to have been seen in Breiðdalur, in the East of Iceland, yesterday, March 18. Now spring must surely be on its way.
The Golden Plover is probably the most loved Icelandic bird. Its arrival in the spring is looked forward to because it signals the coming of summer.
The first five Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) arrived on Ölfusá River by Selfoss today. Same time every year, more or less. The Harlequin Duck stays in the ocean around Iceland during the winter time but comes inland, on rivers, with the coming of spring.
The Wren was the smallest Icelandic bird before the Goldcrest settled here. It is a tiny little bird with a big voice. It is one of the birds that stays in Iceland the whole year. In the winter time it can be found by the seaside but in other seasons all over the country, mostly lowlands though.
We have had a Wren in the garden now for a few days which tells us that it is expecting spring.
Today we had six Common Crossbills or Red Crossbills (Loxia curvirostra) in the garden, both males and females. In the last year they have become regular guests here in our garden.
These colorurful birds always attract our attention when they turn up. The photoes were taken yesterday, March 12.
The White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) is a beautiful little bird that constantly wags its long tail. It is quite noticeable dashing about in the garden in the summer time. The Wagtail is one of the migratory birds which arrival is looked forward to in the spring.
We like the Wagtail a lot and there is usually a pair with a nest in the garden every year. It quite likes the oatmeal biscuits we feed it.
Spring loudly announced its coming this morning. Heavy southerly winds, with rainfall, blew most of the snow away. The temperature went up + 6-8 °C last night and at last most of the ice has melted away. The weather was so bad over most of the country that people were told to stay inside. There were floods, trees were blown down, roofs blew off, boats were in danger, etc. Click on the link to see pictures on mbl.is
This is Ölfusá River at noon today.
American vagrants are always a great treat for birders. The Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) is a very rare American vagrant here in Iceland. It is a small duck and a common breeding bird in North-America.
This male was spotted in April 2013 in Stokkseyri, South Iceland.
The cover photo of this book is by Örn Óskarsson/ORNOSK. This is the Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers which has only been spotted twice in Iceland. Photo taken in Selfoss, see blog.
The book is for sale on Amazon.com
This book describes in detail the 155 species of extremely rare birds that have occurred in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. All species that have occurred less than 10 times have been included. The records are listed with full details and references to books and articles, and include a photograph of the actual individual, if available. Some of these images are published in this book for the first time. The book on Amazon.com
There is a photo in this book by Örn Óskarsson /ORNOSK. It’s page 206, Common Crossbill/Red Crossbill.
The book is for sale on Amazon.com
Discover the joys of attracting winged wonders to your backyard. From seeds and suet to the best bird-attracting plants and other bird-friendly fare, you’ll find easy, practical, and low-cost ways to entice birds into stopping by regularly. You’ll learn the best tips and secrets from experienced birders, experts, and longtime backyard bird-feeders to welcome birds to every part of your yard and garden. The book on Amazon.com