It’s such a handsome bird with its long legs and fine colours. The Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) is a migratory bird in Iceland and a common breeding bird in grown wetlands. In winter it is mostly in Ireland or by the coasts of West Europe all the way south to Portugal.
In the cold weather there are a lot of Snow Buntings in the lowlands and especially in the towns where they expect to get food.
For us they represent the winter because in the summer their colours are different and you only come across them in the highlands.
Here they are in our garden here in Selfoss.
The Fieldfare and the Waxwing are fighting for the apple.
The Waxwing is not going to give in – no way!
The apple is mine, go away !
Ok, just a small nibble while I look the other way.
Photoes taken in February 2011.
We found this Common Crossbill, or Red Crossbill as they are called in USA, in the top a Pine tree, silhouetted against a beautifully bright blue sky. There is nothing common about its bright orange colour but the Crossbill comes in colours ranging from yellow to red.
The Crossbill’s favourite food is seeds from Spruce and Pine cones. In the latter part of the last century Spruce and Pine trees have been planted and are now in full growth in many places throughout the country.
Now it’s 3 days and everyone is so busy doing all the things people are supposed to do for Christmas. Remember to think about the things that matter. Being healthy is not guaranteed, money can’t buy happiness and be thankful for the troubles you don’t have.
Lend a helping hand – and if not your hand your ear <3
Only 4 days to Christmas and December greats us with lots of snow and short days that only last about 4 hours from sunrise to sunset. Today we bring you this Brambling that was with us in October’s snowy weather. The Brambling is a vagrant in Iceland and as such always a treat.
It has been a difficult December and different from what we are used to, blizzards day after day and closed roads. Hopefully we will get nicer weather during the holidays so family and friends will be able to visit their loved ones.
This Chaffinch has been with us since October and seems to be quite up to the Icelandic climate.
At last we have a beautiful day with bright skies and no blizzards in this part of the country. Tomorrow it will not be so bright. There is a lot of snow everywhere so it’s not easy for the birds to find food but a lot of people set out food for them. This Chaffinch in our garden has her bill full of sunflower seeds. Picture taken today 🙂
Cornell Lab of Ornithology has everything about birds, I mean EVERYTHING.
Take time to look at their website. It’s all about birds. Your guide to birds and birdwatching 🙂
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/
It’s 6 days to Christmas and the Goosanders on the river stay relaxed despite the snowstorms that seem to haunt us these days. The Goosander is one of the birds that stays in Iceland the whole year round. – Can you see the Polar Bear ?
