Birds are all over the place in Iceland and when you already know the place to look, there’s an opportunity to identify some actually attention-grabbing species. In downtown Reykjavík, on Tjörnin pond, there are quite a few waterfowl yr spherical like geese, swans and geese that stake it out by chilly winters with the assistance of locals and guests who convey them bread and different nibbles. Ravens additionally make their presence identified in Reykjavík with their deep, gurgling croaks and legendary disposition. In whole there are about 75 species of birds that nest in Iceland and most of them solely cease over throughout nesting and dwell their lives elsewhere the remainder of the yr. Spring is a energetic time to see birds in Iceland, when a lot of the migrating species come over to nest and Icelanders are particularly excited to see when lóan, or the Golden plover arrives because it has lengthy been an indication that spring has lastly come after the lengthy winter.
The Top Bird Watching Spots in Iceland
The greatest locations to go chicken watching inside Reykjavík are down by the shoreline the place, together with gulls and numerous duck species, there’s an opportunity to identify the Great cormorant. In gardens and bushes everywhere in the metropolis there are little Redwings and Starlings and tiny little White wagtails in the summertime. Also throughout summer season, it’s potential to go on particular Puffin tours that sail round Reykjavík to seek out Puffins in cliffs simply exterior the town. Simply occurring a hike proper exterior Reykjavík or stopping on the facet of the highway anyplace within the nation will reveal numerous birds simply ready to be found. But for an actual chicken watching mission, some locations are higher than others so listed below are the highest 5 places to go to for chicken watching in Iceland:
Reykjanes peninsula
The Reykjanes peninsula is a rugged stretch of land with huge fields of mossy lava protecting a lot of the floor. But Vatnsleysuströnd seashore in Reykjanesbær is a wealthy vegetative space the place many species of waterfowl come to nest and rear their young. Interestingly, Iceland is without doubt one of the few locations the place Harlequin geese come to breed and so they can typically be noticed within the city of Vogar on Vatnsleysuströnd or at Ósar bay within the village of Hafnir. Also alongside the Reykjanes peninsula, it’s potential to identify Gyrfalcons, Razorbills, Merlins and American purple gallinule to call a couple of. Despite the cruel panorama, Reykjanes is brimming with chicken life and is bound to ship an awesome expertise for chicken lovers.
Lake Mývatn
In Mývatnssveit within the north of Iceland is Lake Mývatn, the fourth largest lake in Iceland and a should go to for chicken watching. The lake is filled with waterfowl and waders and it’s home to extra duck species than every other place on this planet. While there it’s additionally good to maintain an eye fixed out for Gyrfalcons flying about. A particular chicken to look out for in Mývatn is the Horned grebe or Slavonian grebe, the one species of grebes that nests in Iceland. Its numbers are declining worldwide so it’s price a visit to see it within the peaceable setting of Lake Mývatn.
The Westfjords
The Látrabjarg cliffs within the Westfjords are the biggest sea cliffs in Iceland and the biggest chicken cliffs in Europe, the place tens of millions of birds come to nest yearly. It’s a dizzying space of birdlife, with puffins, gulls, razorbills and northern gannet flying out and in of the cliffs. For birdwatchers, it’s an impressive place to go to because it’s potential to get actually near the cliffs to see the birds going about their busy lives. Also within the Westfjords is Breiðafjörður, a big fjord that’s home to 60% of eagles in Iceland, and whereas guests are suggested not to search around for eagle nests with a view to disturb them as little as potential, there’s nonetheless an opportunity to see these swish birds hovering above within the sky.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
An ideal day journey to take from Reykjavík is visiting the Snæfellsnes peninsula. It’s solely a couple of two hour journey from the town and presents some nice chicken watching spots together with gorgeous views of the encompassing nature and past. On Svörtuloft cliffs, above the golden seashore of Skarðsvík, is a lighthouse that has been fitted with a viewing panel that provides guests the possibility to look at birds within the cliffs from a secure distance. Aside from sea birds like Brünnich’s guillemot, the Common guillemont, Razoerbills and the European shag, the world can be the home of Rock ptarmigans, Kittiwakes, gulls, Arctic terns and Snow buntings.
The Westman Islands
In the Westman Islands, birdlife is intertwined with the native tradition, as the biggest inhabitants of puffins in Iceland nest within the cliffs surrounding Heimaey, the most important of the islands. Puffins are the primary attraction of tourists however there are a number of different species that make the Westman Islands their home, together with the Northerm fulmar, the European storm petrel, Leach’s storm petrel, the Northern gannet and the Common murre. The setting of the Westman Islands is awe inspiring, with its dramatic cliffs that appear to come back alive with the motion of tens of millions of birds, and it completely shows the perseverance of life within the tough terrain of Iceland.
