On one of the few cold days this winter, that was about two weeks ago, a lone Snow Bunting visited the garden. The first day it seemed a bit dazed and tired. We even thought it was seeking refuge here to die. But after a day or two it was up to par and stayed here alone for a week, enjoying the food we put out for it. Flocks of Snow Buntings have flown over but this is the only one in the garden this winter.
In the heart of downtown Reykjavík is Tjörnin, or the pond, with its ducks, geese and swans. On weekends it used to be a pastime to take the kids there to feed the birds leftover bread. This is alright in the winter time but people are now being asked to keep this under control especially in warmer weather when there is enough feed.
Going skating on the Pond was quite popular when we were young but today this is not so common with global warming and everything.
Despite this it is always interesting to watch the birds on the Pond whatever the season.
These three Snipes were huddled together in a small spring water creek near Ellidavatn, outside Reykjavik, after last weekend´s massive snowfall.
The Snipe is a common breeding bird in Iceland and most migrate to West Europe in the winter time. Some decide to stay for the winter, keeping to warm creeks and spring water that does not freeze. That is the place where they are sure to find food even in the harshest of weathers.
Blackbirds have thrived in Iceland this winter. They are newcomers and the mild weather has been exceptionally favourable for them. However, this past week has been quite different. Up until now they have been able to pick earthworms and larva from the frost free ground. Now there is a lot of snow and a full blast winter has arrived.
We thought we would have a very mild, almost snowless winter and the Blackbirds had already started singing. By mid February the group that was here earlier had already gone, leaving only one pair that had claimed our garden as its territory. Now the group is here again searching for food which of course we are sure to have enough of.
There is no indication that the weather will change soon so we continue to feed the birds and enjoy the Blackbirds that look so picturesque in the snow.
The first sheep were brought to Iceland by the settlers way back around the year 800 and as a breed it is unique. Its purity has been protected for centuries in the isolation of the island way out in the North Atlantic Ocean.
The Icelandic sheep are short-tailed and quite different from sheep in other countries, at least the ones we have visited. The Icelandic word for the tail is “dindill”, – such a funny word.
The Icelandic sheep are used to a harsh climate. They graze in the mountains in the summer time and are very efficient herbivores.
The wool that the sheep produce has no counterpart anywhere in the world. The fleece is dual-coated. The long outer coat is called “tog” and the fine inner coat “þel”. The outer and inner coats are separated and used for different woolen garments. The Icelandic lopapeysa is essential for camping in the summer time when nights are bright and no one wants to go to sleep.
Hólmatungur is a beautiful area in Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon with lush green vegetation and spectacular rock formations. It is on the hiking trail alongside River Jökulsá á Fjöllum, one of the most scenic hiking trails in Iceland.
In Hólmatungur water bubbles up from the ground and falls down some ridges into River Jökla. It is an interesting area with some very special natural formations.
Hólmatungur is part of Jökulsárgljúfur Nationa Park.
The Little Grebe is still on River Sog, on the reservoir between Ljósafoss power station and Írafoss power station. While I was checking up on it in the afternoon, it ate one stickleback after another. No worries that the poor little vagrant doesn’t get enough food in Iceland.
Normally, the Northern Lights are greenish in colour. Other colour variations from pink, to purple and red and blue can sometimes be seen but are not as common.
In the TV series Fortitude, season 2, filmed in Iceland, red Northern Lights adorn the night sky. These are, alas, not real thing and probably made with the help of computers.
Red Northern Lights are actually very rare and I have never seen anything like the ones in the TV series. Reds with a mix of green are more the real thing.
On February 27, 2014, Northern Lights in red and purple colours, mixed with the normal green, lit up the sky in Selfoss. That incredible evening I caught a lot of photos in my garden.
Little Grebe is a very rare vagrant in Iceland and has only been spotted here three times. In the last few weeks one has been on River Sog , on the reservoir between Ljósafoss power station and Írafoss power station. It has been seen eating sticklebacks, so food does not seem to be a problem.
It was first spotted in 2004 in the Southeast and the second bird in 2010 -11 in northern Iceland.
The Little Grebe has a wide distribution. It is a breeding bird in Central and South Europe and in southern Asia.