It is spring and breeding time has started. The Shelducks on Ölfusá River have started claiming their territories. The males are very protective of the females and are busy chasing away aggressive males that have not yet managed to secure a mate.

A lot of uproar can be observed when groups of male birds make an assault and try to snatch away a female already paired. The lucky ones have to keep constant vigil over their spouses.

Shelducks (Tadorna tadorna) are annual guests on Ölfusá River by Selfoss. They arrive in the end of March and stay in a group by the riverside until May. Then they disappear and appear again with chicks in the end of June. They probably breed by the river both above and below Selfoss.

The photo is of a pair that had six newly hatched chicks. They were seen by Öflusá River on June 30. Only two of the chicks agreed to be on the photo.

The Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) is a new breeeding bird in Iceland. The first known breeding was recorded in 1990 in Eyjafjörður, North Iceland.

Shelducks were first seen by the river Ölfusá  in Selfoss about 10 years ago. They have slowly been increasing in numbers and last spring 16 Shelducks were spotted by the river near Selfoss. They are seen on the river every year with their chicks but nests have never been found.

Photoes taken by the river Ölfusá.