Birding Tour Iceland: Viking Birding

Iceland Birding Tour: Viking Birding
June 2026

We look forward to welcoming you on our small-group tour to Iceland, the “Land of Ice and Fire”! Iceland sits in the North Atlantic just below the Arctic Circle at latitudes of 63^o to 68^o North, with the nearest land being Greenland some 180 miles (290 kilometers) away to the northwest. It is the most sparsely populated country in Europe. Iceland’s capital is Reykjavik, which is a city of typical, quaint, northern European architecture and makes an excellent starting point for our Iceland tour. Reykjavik, along with its surrounding areas, contains two thirds of the island’s population and once away from these areas, there are vast expanses of open wilderness.

Harlequin Duck is one of our spectacular targets on this Iceland birdwatching trip.

Iceland sits some 600 miles (970 kilometers) from mainland Europe and 1,290 miles (2,070 kilometers) from mainland North America. After the United Kingdom, Iceland is Europe’s second-largest island and most of its climate is typical of the tundra regions. Two thirds of the landmass of Iceland is made up of tundra, while lakes (we will visit the impressive Lake Mývatn), stunning mountains, volcanos, lava fields, and glaciers cover the rest.

With abundant, almost constant, daylight during the middle of summer, the birds are active all day and night and despite the apparent harsh environments, there is a huge abundance of birds here during the summer months. This abundance of birds leads to quite a spectacle, particularly in terms of breeding seabirds, alcids, shorebirds, and wildfowl – many of which give excellent and close views, which makes for a true birders’ and photographers’ paradise. Some of the highlights associated with the sea and lakes on this tour include King Eider, Common Eider, Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter, Barrow’s Goldeneye (Iceland is the only place this species regularly occurs in Europe), Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Atlantic Puffin, Thick-billed Murre (Brünnich’s Guillemot), Black Guillemot, Parasitic Jaeger (Arctic Skua), Arctic Tern, Red (Grey) Phalarope, Red-necked Phalarope, Black-tailed Godwit, European Golden Plover, Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull, Northern Fulmar, Red-throated Loon (Diver), Common Loon (Great Northern Diver), and Horned (Slavonian) Grebe.

The number of gorgeous (and tame) Red-necked Phalaropes we see on this tour is amazing!

More land-based highlights will hopefully include Rock Ptarmigan, White-tailed Eagle, Gyrfalcon, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Northern Wheatear, Red (Common) Crossbill, Common (Icelandic) Redpoll, Redwing, Common Blackbird, White Wagtail, and Snow Bunting.

Redwing is one of several common breeding passerines to grace Iceland.

There is also a chance of vagrant species from North America and Europe (we have found some good birds on our previous tours here, like Little Gull, Ring-necked Duck, American Wigeon, and more) which adds to the excitement of a visit to Iceland, particularly for Western Palearctic listers. The waters off Iceland contain abundant sea-life and we will take a whale watching boat trip off Húsavik looking for the seriously massive Blue Whale and Humpback Whale, a definite tour highlight, while on land we might even come across an Arctic Fox as it hunts for nesting seabirds!

Bird watching in Iceland during the summer months offers so much more than the spectacle of millions of breeding birds, during our tour we will take in some of the Earth’s greatest geological wonders. The huge forces that formed Iceland now add to its breathtaking majesty and curiosity to people the world over. The snow-capped mountains, volcanoes, staggering glaciers, huge fjords and lakes, and imperious and powerful waterfalls are all worthy of a visit in their own right. Iceland offers great accommodation, extremely friendly and welcoming people, some of the best food on any tour we run, and birds that will leave you totally exhilarated. Come and join us on this Iceland birding tour for a personal look at this incredible island.

Itinerary (9 days/8 nights)

Day 1. Arrival and travel to Snæfellsnes Peninsula

The tour will commence from Reykjavík-Keflavík International Airport at noon. Guests arriving in the morning will be met at the airport; if you are arriving the night (or more) before the tour we can arrange nearby accommodation for you, or if you would like to do some sightseeing in beautiful Reykjavík (you can relax after your flight at the world-famous Blue Lagoon Resort and Spa!), we can recommend hotels in Keflavik or the Reykjavik area and we can pick you up there.

Depending on arrival times there may be some optional birding near the airport, where we could get our trip lists going with species such as Common Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Eurasian Oystercatcher, European Herring Gull, Glaucous Gull, Iceland Gull, Snow Bunting, Arctic Tern, or Common Eider.

We will commence our exciting bird tour by heading north past the capital city of Reykjavík to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Along the way we will keep our eyes peeled for White-tailed Eagle and Gyrfalcon, which can occasionally be found along this route – and if we do see either of them, they would surely be an early trip highlight. A stop near Borgarnes and the Andakill mudflats will likely result in plenty of Common Shelduck, Northern Fulmar, and a great lunch. We will also keep our eyes peeled for any roadside pools. Sometimes these hold a great many birds, such as an Arctic Tern breeding colony, or a nesting pair of Whooper Swan, Horned (Slavonian) Grebe, or Red-throated Loon (Diver).

Overnight: Olafsvik, Snæfellsnes Peninsula

White-tailed Eagle is a huge bird, they can be seen on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Day 2. Snæfellsnes Peninsula

We will spend the whole day birding around the western headland of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, which is a wonderful area, and we will have fun exploring the various birding spots here. Some pools near our accommodation are likely to have breeding Greylag Goose, Whooper Swan, Red-throated Loon (Diver), Arctic Tern, Red-breasted Merganser, Tufted Duck, and Common Eider. At this time of year there is also the ever-present sound of displaying shorebirds chipping and buzzing away overhead and these are likely to include Common Snipe, Common Redshank, and Eurasian Oystercatcher.

We should see good numbers of Common Eider on this Iceland birding tour.

We will have our first look at the amazing sea cliffs, where we will observe the seabird breeding colonies as we locate Thick-billed Murre (Brünnich’s Guillemot) among the large number of Common Murre (Common Guillemot), Razorbill, European Shag, and Black-legged Kittiwake. This site offers a fascinating experience, and we are sure of some great views. It is worth noting that the Rock Doves here are wild, ‘real’ ones, not just their feral cousins! While on the land above the cliffs, we have a good chance of finding Rock Ptarmigan, Northern Wheatear, Snow Bunting, and Merlin

Small harbors on the peninsula may contain Red Knot, Purple Sandpiper, Black Guillemot, Glaucous Gull, European Herring Gull, and Common Eider, though one of the main highlights here will undoubtedly be if we find the simply breathtaking Harlequin Duck. This species must rate as one of the best-looking ducks in the world, though there is some great competition across the world, and several other contenders on this tour…

Overnight: Olafsvik, Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Snow Bunting can be found breeding at different sites across Iceland and we often enjoy great views of them whilst birding on Flatey Island.

Day 3. Flatey Island

We will have an early start and drive across to Stykkisshólmur to catch the morning ferry to Flatey Island. Flatey Island is considered one of the most picturesque and scenically beautiful places in Iceland, and as soon as we arrive you will see why.

Around the docks at Stykkisshólmur we should see plenty of Common Eider, Arctic Tern, Common Murre (Guillemot), Atlantic Puffin, and loads of larids like Glaucous Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, and European Herring Gull, plus plenty of Black-legged Kittiwakes. From the ferry we have a chance for Manx Shearwater, Northern Gannet and Parasitic Jaeger (Arctic Skua), though at this time of year they are just as likely to be seen cruising over fields as they are over the sea!

When we arrive at Flatey Island we will have the chance to look around for our main target, Red (Grey) Phalarope. This is one of the few places they breed in Iceland, and although the breeding area is closed during the breeding season, there is still a good chance to find them in the local area. Flatey Island also provides us with the opportunity to see the much more common and widespread, Red-necked Phalarope plus other shorebirds like European Golden Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Common Snipe, Dunlin, and Common Ringed Plover. This area is also great for Snow Bunting and Meadow Pipit.

From Flatey Island we will catch the afternoon ferry to Breiðafjörður and drive to Breiðavík for the night. For those keen on an evening birding session (it does not really get dark here at this time of year!) we can visit the seabird colony at Látrabjarg. Our accommodation is set in the most fantastic scenery you could imagine and is a real treat.

Overnight: Breiðavík

Atlantic Puffin is one of the most-wanted birds on the planet, they are the clowns of the bird world and on the incredible cliffs of Látrabjarg we are sure of great views.

Day 4. Látrabjarg and Blönduós

Today we will visit the amazing Látrabjarg, the famous bird cliffs. Here thousands of breeding seabirds mass along the cliffs, creating a huge racket as they jostle for position along the cliff face. Huge numbers of Common Murre (Guillemot) and to a lesser extent Thick-billed Murre (Brünnich’s Guillemot) and Razorbill breed alongside Black-legged Kittiwake and Black Guillemot. Glaucous Gull, European Shag, and Great Cormorant also squeeze in here among their noisy neighbors while Arctic Foxes can sometimes be found nearby looking for an easy snack.

The sight (and sound) of hundreds of thousands of alicds whirling around us, including Thick-billed Murre, is something not to be missed and will not be forgotten.

Once we have taken in this spectacle, we will head for Blönduós. However, there will be the need for plenty of stops along the way, not least to check for breeding Gyrfalcon and White-tailed Eagle that can sometimes be found along the route, along with Harlequin Duck, Common Loon (Great Northern Diver), and Purple Sandpiper.

Blönduós is the halfway point of our journey eastwards. Blönduós River and Blönduós Bay both provide some great birding, with species like Common Eider and sometimes King Eider, Red-breasted Merganser, and Red-throated Loon (Diver) seen around here, along with Northern Wheatear, Meadow Pipit, White Wagtail, Dunlin, Eurasian Oystercatcher, European Golden Plover, Black-headed Gull, and Parasitic Jaeger (Arctic Skua).

Overnight: Blönduós

Day 5. Blönduós and Lake Mývatn

Today we will set off early and continue east to Lake Mývatn, our base for the next two nights. Along the way we will keep our eyes peeled for roadside Harlequin Duck and Pink-footed Goose. We will then spend the rest of the day exploring this wonderful lake that is packed full of breeding ducks.

This is the center of duck habitat in Iceland and is a spectacular site. We will spend the day driving the 25 miles (40 kilometer) worth of road that circumnavigates the lake, making strategic stops in different areas preferred for different species. Over the course of the day, we will hope to find a wide range of species, including Greylag Goose, Whooper Swan, Gadwall, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Eurasian Wigeon, Harlequin Duck, Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Teal, Long-tailed Duck, Greater Scaup, and Common Scoter.

King Eider is one of the many waterfowl species we may encounter on this tour.

There is also a good chance for Common Loon (Great Northern Diver) and Red-throated Loon (Diver), Horned (Slavonian) Grebe, Short-eared Owl, Merlin, Parasitic Jaeger (Arctic Skua), Redwing, Common Redpoll, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, European Golden Plover, Northern Wheatear, and the endemic subspecies of Eurasian Wren. As always, we will keep a lookout for Gyrfalcon which has become increasingly tricky to find in recent years.

The spectacle of hundreds of Red-necked Phalaropes is sure to impress while we are birding here, and it really is an incredible sight. It is also worth keeping an eye-open for vagrants; in recent years we have found vagrant American Wigeon, Lesser Scaup, and Ring-necked Duck on the lake!

Overnight: Mývatn

Breeding shorebirds (waders) abound around Lake Mývatn and we will get great views of Black-tailed Godwit (above). Other species offering amazing close views will include Dunlin, Eurasian Whimbrel, Common Ringed Plover, European Golden Plover, and the ubiquitous, Red-necked Phalarope. 

Day 6. Lake Mývatn and Húsavík whale watching trip

We will have the morning birding around Lake Mývatn, mopping up any species we may still be looking for, or just appreciating the species we saw the previous day – there is little better than watching a myriad of baby ducks and shorebirds at close range and being amazed at how enough of them survive to keep the population going. There is also nothing cuter than a baby Barrow’s Goldeneye, except maybe a baby Red-necked Phalarope!

In the afternoon we will head north for the rest of the day to the small harbor town of Húsavík, birding along the way. Our journey takes us through yet more spectacular scenery (this is true for every day of the tour in fact!) and we might find Harlequin Duck, Rock Ptarmigan, Parasitic Jaeger (Arctic Skua), or Short-eared Owl along the way.

On arrival at Húsavík we will take a whale watching tour into the bay. On the trip we could find Blue Whale, Humpback Whale, Killer Whale (Orca), White-sided Dolphin, and Harbor Seal. Here we will also have a chance to see plenty of Atlantic Puffins at another Flatey Island (no relation to the one we visit on Day 3!). There is also a massive Arctic Tern breeding colony here, plus Black Guillemot, Purple Sandpiper, Dunlin, Common Redshank, Red-necked Phalarope, and Snow Bunting. Great Skua and Parasitic Jaeger (Arctic Skua) are also found from the boat, and Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter, and Common Eider are often seen here too.

During the breeding season, Common Loon (Great Northern Diver) is one of the most strikingly plumaged birds in the world. We will get some great views of this species during our Iceland birdwatching holiday.

After our boat trip we will bird some areas around the town – this is one of the best sites in Iceland to find an over-summering Iceland Gull among the European Herring Gulls and other larids. The setting also gives great photographic opportunities for birds like Arctic Tern and Northern Fulmar against a snow-capped mountain backdrop. A small lake should give us excellent views of Common Loon (Great Northern Diver) and Horned (Slavonian) Grebe as well as Black-tailed Godwit and Eurasian Whimbrel.

Overnight: Mývatn

Day 7. Lake Mývatn to Blönduós

We will spend a final morning around the wonderful Lake Mývatn, maybe trying to improve on our views and photographs of some of the area’s special species such as Barrow’s Goldeneye, Harlequin Duck, Red-throated Loon, and Red-necked Phalarope. We will also make sure that we have connected with all of the resident and migrant passerines that should be present during our time on the island, several of these can be found in the small, stunted woodland patches around the lake, and along our route over the next couple of days with some preferring the adjacent more-open spaces. Some of the targets will include Goldcrest (amazing how this, the smallest bird in Europe, can survive up here!), Eurasian Wren, Common Blackbird, Redwing, Northern Wheatear, Meadow Pipit, White Wagtail, Common Starling, Common (Icelandic) Redpoll, Red (Common) Crossbill, and Snow Bunting.

After lunch we will head back west towards Blönduós, where we will again spend the night to break up the journey back to Reykjavík/Keflavík. Again, we will be on the lookout for Harlequin Duck, Pink-footed Goose, Northern Raven, and Gyrfalcon along the way.

Overnight: Blönduós

Red-throated Loon (Diver) is yet another attractive bird that can be found on the lakes and swamps across Iceland.

Day 8. Blönduós to Keflavík

This morning we will continue our journey back to Keflavík. We will call in at a couple of spots for some birding along the way, such as estuaries that may contain a nice surprise such as a White-tailed Eagle, and if time permits, we can also visit Flói Nature Reserve. The reclaimed marsh/bog/estuary that exists here today is one of the best spots to see Red-throated Loon (Diver). It was saved by Fuglavernd (BirdLife Iceland), and is home to breeding shorebirds like Eurasian Whimbrel, Red-necked Phalarope, and Black-tailed Godwit, as well as to ducks like Common Merganser (Goosander), Red-breasted Merganser, Tufted Duck, Eurasian Wigeon, and Whooper Swan.

We will arrive in Keflavík in time for our farewell dinner and the tough assignment of choosing the “bird of the trip”, unsurprisingly it is never a straightforward or easy decision in Iceland!

Overnight: Keflavík

Day 9. Departure

A non-birding day. Today we transfer to Reykjavík-Keflavík International Airport for your flights home.

Overnight: Not included

Please note that the itinerary cannot be guaranteed as it is only a rough guide and can be changed (usually slightly) due to factors such as availability of accommodation, updated information on the state of accommodation, roads, or birding sites, the discretion of the guides and other factors. In addition, we sometimes must use a different international guide from the one advertised due to tour scheduling.

Iceland: Viking Birding – Set Departure Trip Report, June 2025

18 – 25 JUNE 2025

The most famous bird in Iceland, the Atlantic Puffin, was seen all throughout this tour!

Overview

While it is not rich in species, Iceland is an important region for breeding seabirds and shorebirds. Over this short 8-day tour we got to experience the sheer magnitude of birds that breed in Iceland during the summer, with the spectacular seabird cliffs being a focal point of the itinerary. Experiencing thousands of Black-legged Kittiwakes, Northern Fulmars, Common Murres, Thick-billed Murres, Razorbills, Black Guillemots and the iconic Atlantic Puffins were highlights of the tour!

Shorebirds were also a major feature of this tour, with species like Eurasian Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Whimbrel, European Golden Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Common Redshank, Common Snipe, Red-necked Phalarope and Dunlin breeding in abundance across the entire island, and small numbers of Purple Sandpiper also being present along the rocky sections of coastline. Waterfowl formed about 30% of the species seen on this tour, with Common Eider being the most abundant bird on the island. The cast of waterfowl seen also included the striking Harlequin Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, King Eider, Common Scoter, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Eurasian Teal, Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Mallard, Common Shelduck, Greater Scaup, Tufted Duck, Whooper Swan, Greylag Goose, the uncommon Pink-footed Goose, and a few American vagrants like Snow Goose, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Surf Scoter and American Wigeon.

Passerines didn’t feature much, but Northern Raven, Red Crossbill, Redpoll, Goldcrest, Snow Bunting, Meadow Pipit, White Wagtail, Northern Wheatear, Eurasian Wren, Common Blackbird and Redwing all showed well. White-tailed Eagle, Merlin and Short-eared Owl made up the birds of prey seen, while notable mammals seen included Long-finned Pilot Whale, White-beaked Dolphin, Grey Seal and Harbor Seal.

Arctic Terns were as widespread in Iceland as they were aggressive!

Detailed Report

Day 1, 18th June 2025. Birding near Reykjavik, transfer to Snæfellness Peninsula

The first day of the tour was tricky due to the persistent showers that fell over the whole Reykjanes Peninsula. Despite this, we spent the morning visiting a variety of coastal lakes and wetlands, acquainting ourselves with the expected suite of waterbirds that we would see throughout the tour. The ponds north of Garður gave us our first views of a number of gull species, namely Great Black-backed, Lesser Black-backed, European Herring and Black-headed Gulls. Alongside the gulls were handsome Arctic Terns, with Red-necked Phalaropes swirling around on the water surface. These were sporting some impressive breeding plumage!

Leaving Garður and heading east to Reykjavik, we stopped at the lakes on the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula, where we spotted our first ducks including Tufted Duck, Mallard, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Eider, some vivid Eurasian Wigeons and a single Eurasian Teal. Greylag Goose and the majestic Whooper Swan were among the larger waterfowl that were common across the island. The lawns around the ponds hosted the iconic entourage of shorebirds that breed all over Iceland: Eurasian Whimbrel, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Common Redshank, Common Snipe and the beautiful Black-tailed Godwit. Like the phalaropes, the godwits were showcasing their shocking, rusty-red breeding plumage, while the redshanks and oystercatchers were looking equally dapper. The sound of the snipes drumming overhead was a near-permanent presence wherever we went in Iceland!

The drumming of Common Snipes displaying overhead is a typical sound of summer in Iceland.

A brief scan out to sea delivered some distant Atlantic Puffins, a few Northern Fulmars and a single Black Guillemot before we called it and headed to Lake Vifilsstadavatn on the south side of town. Here, the rain relented ever so slightly, and we were able to enjoy great views of the resident Tufted Ducks. Among these were a Greater Scaup and a Ring-necked Duck. The latter, being an American species, is a rarity in Iceland, but this individual had been present at the site for a little while. There were also several nesting Horned Grebes close to the lake shore, while a stunning Common Loon was seen diving repeatedly in the deeper parts of the lake.

We made one last stop in the coniferous forests to the east of Reykjavik, where we found a few Redpolls and Redwings, before heading north and then west towards our next base at Hellnar on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Among the previously mentioned species, we picked up a few Common Blackbirds on the roadside in Mosfellsbær. These are not common birds in Iceland and were a breath of fresh air from the ubiquitous Redwings, which seem to pour out of every thicket on the island!

We also had our first looks at the exquisite Harlequin Duck, with a trio performing well on a small river crossing near the Snæfellsnes Visitor Centre. Upon arriving at our hotel in the tiny village of Hellnar we settled down for a lovely dinner, while Northern Fulmars, Black-legged Kittiwakes, Black Guillemots, Common Murres and Atlantic Puffins flew over the bay for their evening commute back to their nests. The resident pair of White Wagtails at the hotel were a breath of fresh air from the ubiquitous Meadow Pipits we’d seen displaying all along the road to the hotel.

Iceland is the only place in the Western Palearctic where the exquisite Harlequin Duck occurs.

Day 2, 19th June 2025. Birding the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, circling the Snaefellsjökull Volcano

We enjoyed a lovely sit-down breakfast at our hotel while watching the lively seabird activity outside. Northern Fulmars and Black-legged Kittiwakes were swirling around the low cliffs, while Atlantic Puffins, Black Guillemots and Common Murres went streaming past towards their feeding grounds. We then popped in at the neighboring town of Arnarstapi to enjoy the large kittiwake and fulmar colonies below the town. The town also hosts a large Arctic Tern colony, many of which were roosting on the road surface. A pair of Eurasian Oystercatchers with two fledglings were also seen at the roadside.

After departing from Arnarstapi we headed east, passing Hellnar and arriving at the Londranger seabird cliff colony. Here we were treated to the spectacle of a full-sized Arctic seabird colony containing all the aforementioned species, as well as a few Thick-billed Murres. After taking in this awesome sight, we continued northwards, skirting the western side of the massive Snaefellsjökull Volcano, now partly covered in cloud. A quick stop at Saxhóll Crater yielded our first brief views of a flying Rock Ptarmigan, with a much more cooperative one perched on a roadside outcrop further up the road. The crater also delivered our first Northern Wheatear, and we saw more at out next stop: the Öndverðarnesviti lighthouse at the northwestern tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. These wheatears were of the subspecies leucorhoa, endemic to Iceland and Greenland and distinguished from the nominate mainland subspecies by the brighter tawny underparts and larger size.

Unlike the other cliff-nesting species in Iceland, Northern Fulmars prefer to nest on grassy ledges rather than bare ones.

From the lighthouse we did a bit of seawatching, this delivered no fewer than ten Northern Gannets among the usual gulls and alcids. A few Parasitic Jaegers were seen flying over the sea here, as well as the surrounding moorland. All over the region, this habitat played host to large numbers of Common Redshank, Common Snipe, Eurasian Whimbrel, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit, European Golden Plover and Meadow Pipit, all very vocal and performing their various noisy display flights.

Moving east into the towns of Hellsindur and Rif, the rain started, so we visited a hide overlooking the large lake near Rif. This hosted hundreds of Red-necked Phalaropes and roosting Arctic Terns from the nearby colony, along with a few Red-throated Loons and Mallards with ducklings. We then stopped for lunch in Olafsvik, where the harbor area and neighboring beach hosted large numbers of gulls. Most of these were Glaucous and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, with smaller numbers of Great Black-backed Gulls and Black-legged Kittiwakes. We then managed to pick out an adult Iceland Gull from the mix, roosting in the harbor.

We then headed south and backtracked a little bit of yesterday’s journey to get to the beach at Ytri Tunga. The rocks here hosted numbers of lounging Harbor Seals and a few Grey Seals, attracting throngs of tourists. The mats of rotting Kelp on the beach attracted waders like Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Eurasian Oystercatcher and a single Purple Sandpiper, while large groups of Common Eider and Red-breasted Merganser were seen in the rockpools or feeding behind the breakers.

A rather graceful gull, Black-legged Kittiwake was numerous at every seabird cliff we visited.

Completing the loop around the volcano, we left the beach and headed back towards Hellnar, picking up Horned Grebe, Whooper Swan, Tufted Duck, Black-headed Gull, Greater Scaup, Common Loon, and large numbers of Eurasian Wigeon on the various roadside lakes en route. A final stop at the wooded garden on the east side of Hellnar delivered a confiding Redpoll and a few Redwings as the final touches to a great day of birding in western Iceland!

Day 3, 20th June 2025. Ferry to Flatey Island, onwards to Flokalundur

The main event of today was taking the ferry Baldur across the Breiðafjörður to Flatey Island. The ferry ride itself didn’t yield much new, though the definite highlight was a pod of White-beaked Dolphins that came careening past our boat in the opposite direction! Once on the island, we were treated to a bonanza of breeding species. Red-necked Phalaropes pottered along the road and around our feet, seemingly unbothered by humans. Common Redshanks incessantly chirped away from the rooftops of the small settlement established on the island. We were also treated to good numbers of Snow Buntings here, many of which were collecting nesting material and, like the redshanks, singing from the rooftops! Our best views of Black Guillemot were had here, with multiple individuals resting on rocky outcrops mere meters below us! Atlantic Puffins were also a major feature of the island, with hundreds of them floating around the island, some just meters from the shore! There was also a breeding colony of European Shags on one of the neighbouring islets amidst the usual kittiwakes, fulmars and murres.

Once we had our fill, we returned to the town for lunch, taking some time to enjoy the scenery. The quaint, multi-coloured houses on the island set against the distant mountains of the Westfjords made for quite the picture! By mid-afternoon we were on the ferry again heading north across the bay to our next base: Hotel Flokalundur. After checking in we went for a short drive before dinner to one of the nearby promontories. Here, we added Northern Raven to the trip list, as well as a White-tailed Eagle being mobbed by a Merlin.

Dazzling Red-necked Phalaropes were quite tame on Flatey Island.

Day 4, 21^st June 2025. Birding to Látrabjarg, transfer to Gauksmýri

We decided to have a later start this morning and enjoyed a relaxed sit-down breakfast at the hotel before heading west towards Látrabjarg: the westernmost point in Iceland. Along the way, we were treated to many of the aforementioned species, with highlights including numbers of Parasitic Jaegers, Glaucous Gulls and Northern Wheatears, as well as Eurasian Oystercatchers nesting on the road verge! We made a stop at the innermost part of the immense Patreksfjörður where hundreds of Common Eiders were loafing. These are undoubtedly the most common bird in Iceland, a near-permanent presence along any given stretch of coastline. This particular flock rewarded us with a single female King Eider, not as dazzling as the male but still a new species for the trip. However the best find from this spot was a striking male Surf Scoter, parading his massive, painted bill in the midst of the eiders!

They may be ubiquitous in Iceland, but the Common Eider is a handsome bird nonetheless.

The scenery across the Westfjords was awe-inspiring as we ascended and descended the various mountains between the fjords. Just before reaching Látrabjarg, we enjoyed one of many Northern Fulmar colonies located alongside a stunning waterfall coming down the mountainside. Once we reached Látrabjarg, we took our time strolling along the foot path above the cliffs that are coated in millions of nesting seabirds! The colony stretches along 14 kilometers of sea cliffs that rise 500 meters above sea level, with the surrounding ocean peppered with seabirds for miles around: truly a spectacle of nature and a sight to behold! All the usual cliff-breeding suspects nest here: Black-legged Kittiwake, Northern Fulmar, Common Murre, Thick-billed Murre, Razorbill and the iconic Atlantic Puffin. The latter prefer to breed on the grassy cusp of the cliffs, and we were treated to immaculate views of these adorable birds at point-blank range.

Once we’d had our fill of the cliffs, we embarked on the long drive east to our accommodation at Gauksmyri. We didn’t do much more targeted birding for the rest of the day, but we were treated to all the regular shorebirds, gulls and ducks as we journeyed across the Westfjords. Some notable mentions seen during this lengthy drive included large flocks of roosting Whooper Swans, two groups of Harlequin Ducks, several flings of Purple Sandpipers and a trio of male Common Mergansers.

Thick-billed Murres and Razorbills: typical denizens of the Arctic seabird cliffs.

Day 5, 22^nd June 2025. Birding near Akureyri, transfer to Lake Myvatn

Leaving Gauksmyri early this morning, we first paid a visit to the mouth of Miðfjörður near Hvammstangi. The main prize here was a beautiful male American Wigeon hanging around a couple of Eurasian Wigeons: another American vagrant! We then headed east towards Akureyri, with Common Gull becoming more and more common as we went. The many roadside lakes in northern Iceland are the best places to encounter both local loon species, with the larger Common Loon preferring larger lakes to the more common Red-throated Loon. One of these lakes also gave us more views of Horned Grebe, a species we had not seen much of since leaving Reykjavik. After passing Varmahlíð, the road headed south along a beautiful, braided river bordered by fertile farmlands. It was here where we found families of Pink-footed Geese feeding on roadside pasture and escorting their goslings down to the stony riverbanks. This valley is a major breeding site for this uncommon waterfowl, and Common Gulls were also breeding on the river’s sandbars in good numbers.

Further on, the valley narrowed and tightened as the mountains on either side rose up to impressive heights, many of which were adorned with waterfalls and fast-flowing streams. Whooper Swans were very common all along the final stretch before Akureyri. Nestled between snow-capped peaks and the immense Eyjafjörður, the beautiful city of Akureyri is the main center of northern Iceland. On its south side, the Leirutjörn ponds and adjacent fjord shoreline gave us great views of Horned Grebe, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Gull and our first Long-tailed Ducks. We also took a short walk around the nearby forests at Kjarnaskogur where we found parties of adorable Goldcrests, a few Redpolls, a single Eurasian Wren (endemic subspecies) and yet another Common Blackbird among the usual suspects.

After Akureyri, we completed the rest of the drive to Hotel Laugar, where we would be based for the next two nights. After checking in and having dinner, we decided to make the most of the constant daylight and paid a short visit to Lake Myvatn. This huge waterbody is 37 square kilometers in area and heated by surrounding geothermal springs. This makes it a hotspot for waterfowl, and is the best place in Iceland to see the dapper Barrow’s Goldeneye. We saw good numbers of these diving ducks around the lake fringes, alongside masses of other ducks including Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Greater Scaup and Eurasian Wigeon. Smaller numbers of Northern Pintail, Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Loon, Red-throated Loon, Horned Grebe and Whooper Swan were also evident. Just west of Myvatn, the smaller lake Masvatn also delivered a new species in the form of three Common Scoters. Returning to the hotel, we were blessed with a Short-eared Owl wind-hovering above our car as our final sighting of the day!

We were lucky to have three different Short-eared Owl sightings during our time near Myvatn.

Day 6, 23^rd June 2025. Birding near Akureyri, transfer to Lake Myvatn

We awoke this morning to Eurasian Wren singing from the nearby forest and Black-tailed Godwits probing the lawns next to the hotel. We then headed north to the small town of Dalvik, encountering yet another Short-eared Owl along the way (this one was being harassed by the ever-aggressive Arctic Terns). We had yet another ferry ride today, this time up to the island of Grimsey, the northernmost point in Iceland. The northern tip of this small isle just makes it into the Arctic Circle, hence it is much colder here than on the main island. It is also home to thousands of breeding Atlantic Puffins, and it was here where we got to see them in their highest densities of the whole trip! Like Flatey, Grimsey is also a great place for breeding Snow Bunting, European Golden Plover and Red-necked Phalarope. The latter were, once again, very confiding and unafraid of people, and we even got to witness a male guarding three tiny chicks, keeping them warm within his belly feathers! The strangest sighting during our time on Grimsey had to be a pair of Common Swifts flying around the sea cliffs near the harbor. Swifts are rare and irregular in Iceland so this was quite a surprising find, to say the least. The ferry rides to and from Grimsey weren’t too productive due to the miserable weather, but we did enjoy a large pod of Long-finned Pilot Whales milling about at the mouth of the fjord on our way to the isle.

Day 7, 24^th June 2025. Birding en route to Kopasker, hot springs at Myvatn

After having breakfast and checking out of our hotel, we headed north towards Husavik, stopping briefly at Lake Vestmannsvatn to enjoy the vagrant Black-throated Loon that had been frequenting the spot for a few weeks already. Our next stop was at a pair of smaller lakes near the coast. Here we picked up a vagrant Eurasian Coot that was also lingering in the area, as well as a huge breeding colony of Black-headed Gulls. Regulars like Horned Grebe, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Eurasian Wigeon and European Golden Plover were also present.

The elegant European Golden Plovers were sporting some dapper plumage.

After passing through the small, whalewatching town of Husavik, we continued north along the coastline, enjoying the endless Common Snipes displaying overhead. A female Rock Ptarmigan “dustbathing” on a muddy track was a strange sight indeed! We saw two more of these “snow chickens” before reaching the bridge over the Lón Estuary. Here we connected with a number of less common species, including Dunlin, Common Shelduck and more Long-tailed Ducks. Large numbers of Red-throated Loons were also seen here, while a nearby pool, cut off from the main channel, hosted lots of roosting Aythya ducks. These were mostly Tufted Ducks with a few Greater Scaups, but we also managed to pick out a male Common Pochard and a male Lesser Scaup: our third American rarity for the trip! The last lake in this estuarine system that we birded delivered a male Long-tailed Duck that, for some reason, was wearing his stunning winter plumage. This was yet another unusual find, given that it was the height of summer in Iceland.

The only gamebird in Iceland, the Rock Ptarmigan, was pleasantly common.

We picked up another Iceland Gull among the myriad of Northern Fulmars and other gull species at the water treatment plant on the east side of the estuary. Soon after, we reached the quiet seaside village of Kopasker. The small bay on the east side of town had been hosting an Ancient Murrelet over the days leading up to the tour but sadly we could not relocate it. There was plenty to keep us entertained however, and after we’d had our fill, we headed back south towards Myvatn. For the remainder of the afternoon, we drove around the lake enjoying more views of Barrow’s Goldeneye, as well as visiting the spectacular Hverir Hot Spring and the associated “Blue Lake” to the east. After having some final looks at the Common Scoters on Masvatn, we turned east and started on the long return journey to Gauksmyri. We enjoyed the roadside birding along the way, passing fields of Black-tailed Godwits and displaying Eurasian Whimbrels singing from the telegraph poles. Before arriving at Gauksmyri, we had more views of the Pink-footed Goose families as we passed through the valley south of Varmahlíð again.

Day 8, 25^th June 2025. Transfer to Reykjavik, local birding

On our last full day in Iceland, we left Gauksmyri early to try and target a few species we hadn’t seen yet. Our first port of call was to bird a few forest patches alongside the town of Varmaland and the massive lake Hredhavatn respectively. The former only delivered large groups of Redpoll, but the latter yielded our main quarry: a small flock of Red Crossbills, as well as a few Goldcrests and Common Blackbirds. Target acquired, we continued south and reached Reykjavik by lunchtime. Birding a few fjords and lakes around town delivered Gadwall and Eurasian Teal among the usual suspects, while Common Starling and Rock Dove were amusing trip additions in the city itself. Bessastaðatjörn, a large lake next to the town of Alftanes, gave us distant views of the lingering Snow Goose that had been in the area for weeks already, as well as another pair of Common Shelduck.

Heading south to Grindavik on the south side of the Reykjanes Peninsula, we picked up another female King Eider sheltering in a small bay with hundreds of Common Eiders. Sadly, we would not pick up a male on this trip, but we were content nonetheless. Our final species for the trip was yet another long-staying rarity from across the Atlantic: a Bonaparte’s Gull that had taken up residence at Garður for about a week. We had missed this bird on our initial visit to the site at the start of the trip, so we were stoked to finally connect with it! This was our last birding stop of the tour, after which we returned to the Konvin Hotel in Keflavik, where the tour ended.

The incessant piping of Common Redshanks is another staple of the Icelandic soundscape.

Bird List – Following IOC Version 15.1 (February 2025)

The following notation after species names is used to show conservation status following BirdLife International. VU = Vulnerable.

Mammal List – Following Mammalwatching.com (November 2024)

 This is a sample trip report. Please email us ([email protected]) for more trip reports from this destination.