Bird watching in Iceland - May 2012

24.-29. May and 31. May -05. June

Late May is a perfect time to come over to Iceland to see our local specialities such as Common Loon (Great Northern Diver), Puffin and Arctic Skua. Iceland, located in the north Atlantic, is counted to be the westernmost part of Europe. About 70 bird species breed regularly in Iceland, many only spend 3-5 months on the island each year, others are residents. Majority of Iceland´s birds are seabirds and various species of wetland birds. By end of May all the migratory birds have arrived in Iceland and by mid-summer many birds leave their breeding grounds. Making the prime time for bird watching May-June. A very special holiday trip for all interested in ornithology!

Itinerary:

Day 1: Keflavik – Reykjanes

We meet and greet you at Keflavik international airport in the afternoon. The bird watching starts right after your arrival by visiting the bird colonies in Reykjanes Peninsula. We spend the afternoon there exploring this volcano area and the bird colonies along the coast line. From Reykjanes we head west to Snæfellsnes Peninsula and have a nice dinner along the way. Before arriving at our accommodation in the evening at Snæfellsnes Peninsula we visit the area Mýrar with its richness in bird life. We accommodate for the next two nights at the comfortable Guesthouse Langaholt.

Day 2: Snæfellsnes National Park

This day will be dedicated to Snæfellsnes Peninsula. By the village Hellissandur at the northern part of the peninsula there are amounts of the admirable Arctic Tern and by Arnarstapi at the southern part there are Kittiwakes to be observed in the strange natural potholes at the cliffy shore. There are some Gulls too and at the neighbored ponds we can observe some Red-necked Phalarope and even Divers. Same accommodation.

Day 3: Flatey Island & The West Fjord

From town Stykkisholmur we take the ferryboat across the Breiðafiord-Bay to the port of Brjanslækur. We will make a half day stop on the island Flatey, where we find the rare Grey Phalarope among all the Eider ducks. We jump again aboard the ferry and catch the afternoon cruise. When we reach Brjánslækur we move for the coming two nights into the summer hotel Flokalundur. The hotel is located close to the sea and just below you find a hot natural bath in the rocks by the shore. Enjoy an evening bath with fantastic views over the fjord.

Day 4: Látrabjarg cliff

Today we drive to Europe’s western most point Látrabjarg. Látrabjarg is Iceland´s greatest bird cliff and also the largest in the North Atlantic. It is about 14 km long and about 450 meters high. There we can watch the Puffin by an almost incredible close-up, apart from having there the largest continuous Razorbill colony in the world. An imposing mountain road leads us down to the wide open golden-red beach of Raudasandur, where seals are often to be seen. We go back to the same accommodation.

Day 5: Back to Reykjavík

In the morning we load the luggage in our vehicle and head to the beautiful curved coastal road through the fjords and the valleys towards south, passing through some nesting areas of the White-tailed Eagle. By travelling around the peninsula Klofningur we have a magnificent view to the islets and skerries of the shoreline. We continue to the Saga surroundings of Laxárdalur, where you’ll have the opportunity to visit the restored Viking farm of Erik the Red, Leif Eriksson’s father. We will be back in Reykjavík around 18.00.

Day 6: Retrun flight

Transfer from your accommodation and individual flight from Keflavik to your home destination.

Possible Bird Species seen on the tour:

Arctic Skua, Arctic tern, Black headed Gull, Common Snipe, Cormorant, Eider, Fulmar, Great black-backed gull, Great Northern Diver, Grey-lag goose, Gyrfalcon, Harlequin Duck, Kittiwake, Long tailed duck, Merlin, Oystercatcher, Ptarmigan, Puffin, Raven, Razorbill, Red-breasted merganser, Red-throated diver, Redwing, Ringed and Golden Plover, Shag, Short-eared Owl, Teal, Whimbrel, White-tailed Eagle, Whooper swan, Widgeon, White Wagtail. Dates + Prices

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