Tag Archives: Húsönd

Birds

Barrow’s Goldeneye on River Ölfusá

Húsönd – Barrows Goldeneye – Bucephala islandica

A group of Barrow’s Goldeneyes have been on Ölfusá River by Selfoss in January and February. They are annuals here at this time of the year. They are most likely a part of a bigger group on Sog River about 10 km inland from Selfoss.

Iceland is the only breeding place of the Barrow’s Goldeneye in Europe and the distribution has been more or less restricted to Northeast Iceland. It stays in Iceland the whole year round. Part of the population overwinters here in the South during the coldest time of the year.

In recent years, however, more and more Goldeneyes have started breeding in the South, e.g. in the Southern Highlands, in Lake Þingvallavatn and River Sog. The Barrow’s Goldeneye’s habitat is in spring water lakes or rivers the whole year round and unlike most non-migrators they do not head out to sea in winter.

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Birds

Winter guests on Lake Laugarvatn

Húsönd – Barrow’s Goldeneye – Bucephala islandica

The Barrow’s Goldeneye stays in Iceland the whole year round. Its distribution has been more or less restricted to Mývatn and Laxá in North Iceland. It prefers to stay in spring water and part of the population goes to the South during the coldest time of the year. Lake Laugarvatn is one the places where you can expect to spot them. Due to geothermal heat it does not freeze over even in the harshest of winters. From January to March they can be seen in groups not far from land.

Lake Laugarvatn in March

Iceland is the only breeding place of the Barrow’s Goldeneye in Europe and the distribution has been more or less restricted to Northeast Iceland. More birds now breed in the South, e.g. in the Southern Highlands, in Lake Þingvallavatn and River Sog. Barrow’s Goldeneye stay in spring water lakes or rivers the whole year round and unlike most non-migrators they do not move to the sea around Iceland in winter.

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Birds

Breeding in the South

At this time of year the Barrow’s Goldeneye can be seen on lakes and rivers with its adorable chicks and sometimes with a lot of them. This bird with chicks was on Lake Nýjavatn in Veiðivötn in July.

Húsönd – Barrows Goldeneye – Bucephala islandica

Iceland is the only breeding place of the Barrow’s Goldeneye in Europe and the distribution has been more or less restricted to Northeast Iceland. More birds now breed in the South, e.g. in the Southern Highlands, in Lake Þingvallavatn and River Sog. Barrow’s Goldeneye stay in spring water lakes or rivers the whole year round and unlike most non-migrators they do not move to the sea around Iceland in winter.

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