TonyQ's Big Year: Number 4

[TonyQ]

Thanks Dave. We saw a number of families of Eider in this way. In other areas the males. females and chicks were around in the same area thugh not neccesarily so close together.

 

Iceland is still expensive. We bought a bottle of wine at the duty free in Keflavik airport (useful for our self catering bits). Meals in restaurants and alcohol in particular was expensive - but we still had a glass with our evening meal. We made up our own lunches and did some cooking when we had an apartment. After that we just didn't convert the currency in our head so just accepted that was how it is.  We really enjoyed the trip so the money was well spent.

 

We have read a number of your "trip reports" on your blog. (Using the link in your signature). All very interesting and with the superb photography you show here.

[PeterHG]

Great photos @TonyQ and some interesting species. Never seen a Barrow's Goldeneye or a Brunnich's Guillemot. 

[pedro maia]

Very noce pictures @TonyQ.

[Galana]

Well done. Some excellent captures there.

[Kitsafari]

Lovely collection from Iceland. 

[Zim Girl]

Love the picture of the male Eider.  Glad you enjoyed the trip.

[TonyQ]

@PeterHG @pedro maia @Galana @Kitsafari @Zim Girl  thank you

 

314.Ic11. Common Redpoll  Acanthis flammea         

Myvatn 09.06.2019

Myvatn 09.06.2019

Myvatn 09.06.2019

I am pretty sure this is a Common Redpoll. It is certainly not the species we have seen before in the UK (Lesser Redpoll) but it does have some similarites with the Arctic Redpoll.

[TonyQ]

315.Ic12. Common Redshank  Tringa totanus          

Flatey Island    12.06.2019

Flatey Island    12.06.2019

Flatey Island is a small island reached from Stykkisholmur by a 90 minute ferry ride. The ferry stops  for a few minutes and then continues on its journey. There are 2 ferries to the island and 2 returns during the summer. There is one small village, and a track that leads up from the harbour to the village. Cars are not allowed on the island. As the name suggests, the island is flat!

Redshanks are all over the place - it seemed on almost every fence post.

(On Iceland generally there are lots of Redshanks and you have to be careful when driving as they fly low across the roads)

Edited July 28, 2019 by TonyQ

[TonyQ]

316.Ic13. Common Ringed Plover  Charadrius hiaticula       

Flatey Island    12.06.2019

Flatey Island    12.06.2019

Ringed Plovers have usually been little dots for me, but the ones on Flatey Island were very close and fairly confident with people.

[TonyQ]

Ic14. Common Scoter  Melanitta nigra           

Already seen in UK

(M + F) Myvatn 09.06.2019

[TonyQ]

Ic15. Common Snipe  Gallinago gallinago   

Already seen in UK 

Myvatn            09.06.2019     

In a number of places we saw Snipe doing their display flight and heard the "drumming" sound that they make. We had not seen this before.

Thingvellir National Park         14.06.2019

Snipe are common and fairly confiding.

Edited July 28, 2019 by TonyQ

[TonyQ]

317.Ic16. Dunlin  Calidris alpina        

Myvatn area    11.06.2019

We only saw a few Dunlin, and they were usually fairly distant.

[TonyQ]

Ic17. Eurasian Curlew  Numenius arquata    

Already seen in UK

Stokkseyri       15.06.2019

Stokkseyri       15.06.2019

The only one we saw

[TonyQ]

Ic18. Eurasian Oystercatcher  Haematopus ostralegus      

Already seen in UK  

Flatey Island    12.06.2019

Flatey Island    12.06.2019

[TonyQ]

Ic19. Eurasian Teal  Anas crecca    

Already seen in UK 

Myvatn   09.06.2019

[TonyQ]

Ic20. Eurasian Wigeon  Mareca penelope   

Already seen in UK 

Myvatn            09.06.2019

[Peter Connan]

Lovely shots of the Redshanks and the Little Ringed Plovers Tony!

 

Snipe in flight is hard and difficult, well done!

[Dave Williams]

Drumming Snipe were everywhere in Iceland when I went. Magical! I had never seen and heard that before but did again recently at Borrowdale in the Lake Distict. Only the odd one but it brought back good memories as do all you Icelandic photos. I must return!

[TonyQ]

@Peter Connan thank you @Dave Williams thank you - yes hearing the drumming snipe was great. I had read about drumming and didn't really understand it, but once you hear drumming it is obvious.

 

318.Ic21. European Golden-Plover     Pluvialis apricaria       

Near Keflavik   07.06.2019

     

Snæfellsnes Peninsula           13.06.2019

I have seen them in the UK, but usually distant and not as "Golden" looking. Here they are quite common - the first one was in a front garden and there were lots in the area.

[TonyQ]

319.Ic22. European Shag       Phalacrocorax aristotelis        

Flatey Island    12.06.2019

     

On nest, Snæfellsnes Peninsula           13.06.2019

[TonyQ]

Ic23. European Starling          Sturnus vulgaris         

Already seen in UK

Hvammstangi  08.06.2019

This one was on the roof of our little cottage

[TonyQ]

Ic24. Gadwall  Mareca strepera         

Already seen in UK

Myvatn 09.06.2019

[TonyQ]

320.Ic25. Glaucous Gull          Larus hyperboreus     

Stykkisholmur 11.06.2019

Snæfellsnes Peninsula           13.06.2019

[TonyQ]

Ic26. Graylag Goose   Anser anser    

Already seen in UK

Blönduós         11.06.2019

[TonyQ]

321.Ic27. Great Black-backed Gull     Larus marinus

Stykkisholmur 11.06.2019

Stykkisholmur 11.06.2019

Gulls are tricky - this one distinguishable from the Lesser Blackback by the pink legs.