Tag Archives: Steindepill

Birds

The little delicate Wheatear

Steindepill – Wheatear – Oenanthe oenanthe

The Wheatear is one of the many small passerine birds that can now been seen in lowlands all over the country. It is a common breeding bird in Iceland that usually arrives here in May. These photoes were taken at the shore by Eyrarbakki and in Flói Reserve this week.

Male Wheatear

A lot of Wheatears are already here although most of them usually come to Iceland in May. In September they fly off to their winter grounds in West Africa. Some of them only have a stopover in Iceland on their way to their breeding grounds in Greenland and North Canada.

Share
Birds

Wheatear just arriving

Steindepill – Wheatear – Oenanthe oenanthe

It must be a relief to finally land on Icelandic shores after flying for thousands of miles over the ocean. This Wheatear was just about to land in South Iceland in the morning of May 5.

The Wheatears are not early migrants. They usually arrive in Iceland in May, coming from their winter grounds as far as Africa. In September they leave again for the winter.

Share
Birds

Small birds flying South

tufutittlingur-6
Þúfutittlingur – Meadow Pipit – Anthus pratensis

In the last few days flocks of small birds, such as Meadow Pipits, Wheatears and Wagtails, have flown off in a southerly direction. Most of them are on their way to Africa or Southern Europe. These species do not stay in Iceland during winter. They are insect eaters and have no other choice than to head south to a warmer climate to survive.  In the best of circumstances the estimated flight time to the nearest European countries is at least 24 hours. Many to do not reach their destination and perish on the way.
These photoes were taken at the beach by Eyrarbakki, South Iceland, where huge flocks could be seen, waiting for favourable winds to take them on their way.

steindepill-7
Steindepill – Wheatear – Oenanthe oenanthe
Share
Birds

Seeing Wheatears made our day

steindepill-5
Steindepill – Wheatear – Oenanthe oenanthe

We were looking for a Gyrfalcon, which we did not find, when we came across our first  Wheatears (Oenanthe oenanthe) this spring. There were a few at the roots of Mount Ingólfsfjall, most of them males. Their winter grounds are in West Africa.  They make their nests in rocks, lava and  heathland, mostly in lowlands but also in highlands. Greenlandic Wheatears stopover in Iceland in spring and autumn on their way to their breeding grounds in Greenland. The breeding population here counts around 50,000 pairs.

steindepill-4

The photos were taken today.

Share
Birds

The Wheatear

The Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) is a common breeding bird in Iceland. They are migratory birds with winter grounds in West Africa.

steindepill-3
Steindepill – Wheatear – Oenanthe oenanthe

Most Wheatears come to Iceland in May and they are usually flown to their wintergrounds in September. They often visit the garden in the autumn before their departure for Africa. The photoes are taken in Selfoss.

steindepill
Steindepill – Wheatear – Oenanthe oenanthe
Share