TonyQ's Big Year: Number 4

[TonyQ]

334.Ic43. Red-breasted Merganser  Mergus serrator

Myvatn 09.06.2019

[TonyQ]

335.Ic44. Iceland Gull  Larus glaucoides       

Near Keflavik   07.06.2019     

[TonyQ]

336.Ic45. Red-throated Diver  Gavia stellata 

Myvatn 10.06.2019  

   

Snæfellsnes Peninsula           13.06.2019

[TonyQ]

Ic46. Redwing  Turdus iliacus

Already seen in UK

Thingvellir National Park         14.06.2019

     

Geysir  14.06.2019

Redwings are common (no Blackbirds, no thrushes). The second one is bathing in a stream very close to the Geysir at Geysir! There are signs warning that the water can be up to 80degreesC, but I presume it wasn't that hot at this point! It seemed to enjoy a warm bath anyway

[TonyQ]

337.Ic47. Rock Ptarmigan  Lagopus muta     

Blönduós         08.06.2019

When they lower themselves onto rocks they are very well camouflaged in their summer plumage. In winter they are white.

[TonyQ]

338.Ic48. Ruddy Turnstone  Arenaria interpres         

Flatey Island    12.06.2019

[TonyQ]

One bird we didn't see (in the conventional sense was The White-tailed Eagle. However a visit to a small church on Flatey Island

did produce

Part of the painting on the ceiling - there were a lot of interesting murals painted here, including

Jesus wearing an Icelandic Jumper

Apologies for going off at a tangent........

[TonyQ]

Ic49. Sanderling  Calidris alba  

Already seen in UK (though not in breeding colours)        

Near Keflavik   07.06.2019

[TonyQ]

339.Ic50. Snow Bunting  Plectrophenax nivalis         

(m) Flatey Island    12.06.2019

(m) Flatey Island    12.06.2019

(f) Flatey Island    12.06.2019

Common on Flatey Island but not seen anywhere else. They were very confiding - I think that locals put food out for them - they are certainly unafraid around people. We thought these were a real treat - lovely little birds.

[Zim Girl]

Loving your birds from Iceland Tony.  Lovely close ups of birds that are much trickier to see here in the UK.

[Galana]

I agree. Those Red-throated Divers verge on the exotic.

[PeterHG]

Excellent shots of the Snow Bunting and, like the others I am really enjoying your beautiful Iceland collection (including the suitably dressed Jesus )!

[lmSA84]

Beautiful Snow Buntings. Iceland's high my list and only getting higher with these postings

[Alex Rogers]

Some lovely pictures of some very unusual (to me) birds. Love the Snow Buntings, the Sanderling, and the Divers. Just as well you posted 2 pics of the divers, somehow the first one looks just like a pair of wooden shooting lures!

[Alex Rogers]

Your mirrored fulmar blew me away. Nice!

[TonyQ]

@Zim Girl @Galana @PeterHG @lmSA84 @Alex Rogers  thank you!

 

340.Ic51. Slavonian Grebe     Podiceps auritus

Myvatn 10.06.2019

On nest, Myvatn 10.06.2019

I like all grebes, but this is a lovely one

[TonyQ]

341.Ic52. Short-eared Owl      Asio flammeus

Myvatn 09.06.2019

Rubbish photo, but the only owl you are likely to see. We saw two of them during the trip - both flew past us and I just saw the back of them.

(You can imagine how good the other one was!)

[TonyQ]

Ic53. Tufted Duck        Aythya fuligula

Already seen in UK

(m) Myvatn 10.06.2019

(f) Myvatn 10.06.2019

Probably the most common duck - but you have to check them in case one turns out to be a Scaup. But prettu birds in their own right.

[TonyQ]

342.Ic54. Whimbrel     Numenius phaeopus  

Near Husavik  10.06.2019

Pretty common, sometimes on roadside verges.

[TonyQ]

Ic55. White Wagtail     Motacilla alba 

Already seen in UK (as PIed Wagtail)

Blönduós         11.06.2019

[TonyQ]

343.Ic56. Whooper Swan        Cygnus cygnus          

Blönduós         08.06.2019

[TonyQ]

344.Ic57. Arctic Skua  Stercorarius parasiticus         

Snæfellsnes Peninsula           13.06.2019

Snæfellsnes Peninsula           13.06.2019

Snæfellsnes Peninsula           13.06.2019

The most common of the Skuas - a large impressive bird.

Edited August 9, 2019 by TonyQ

[TonyQ]

345.Ic58. Red-necked Phalarope       Phalaropus lobatus    

(f) Flatey Island    12.06.2019

(f) Flatey Island    12.06.2019

(m) Flatey Island    12.06.2019

(f) Flatey Island    12.06.2019

The female is bigger and more colourful than the male. These are very common and we saw them every day on Iceland. In most places they were not bothered by people - on Flatey Island in particular, we could sit by the side of a small pond at the edge of the village and they came amazingly close.

 

So that wraps up Iceland. 58 species all together, 41 of those new to the Big Year. So not huge numbers of species, but very good viewing. You also have amazing landscapes, quiet roads, and a chance to go Whale Watching (we saw Humpback and Blue whales)

[Zim Girl]

Fantastic Tony - enjoyed them all!

[xelas]

Congratulatios, @TonyQ! Now show us also a few of waterfalls and other highlights from your trip.