Iceland
- Nicholas Turner
- Jun 16
- 3 min read
8th - 15th June 2025
This was a carefully planned family holiday in Reykjavik, Iceland. Even in mid-summer the weather can be somewhat mixed to say the least so we crossed our fingers for some dry weather and long sunny days – at this time of the year the sun rises at 3.00 a.m. and sets at midnight and even when the sun is down it is not dark but twilight.
Sunday 8th June: We flew from Manchester to Reykjavik, a journey that takes about two and a half hours. As we sat drinking coffee at the airport we could see a couple of gorgeous summer plumaged Golden Plovers on the grass outside the terminal. Thereafter we drove northwards for ca. 1h to our Airbnb accommodation in Seltjarnarnes near the coast. Nearby there was a large freshwater lake Bakkatjörn which provide an excellent place to begin the birding. Firstly we noticed several Red-necked Phalaropes feeding by the water’s edge together with a few other waders including Purple Sandpiper, Dunlin, Sanderling, Common Ringed Plover and Common Redshank, mostly in summer plumage. A pair of Red-throated Diver were on the lake together with families of Common Eider, two Red-breasted Mergansers and two Long-tailed Ducks. Arctic Terns were plentiful as were White Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Redwing, Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull and Greylag Geese. Also seen were Northern Shoveler, Brent Goose, Fulmar, Common Snipe, Oystercatcher and two summer plumaged Black-tailed Godwits. A great start to the holiday.
Monday 9th June: During the morning we booked ourself onto a 2h whale-watching trip from Reykjavik where we had good views of Humpback Whales and the occasional Minke Whale. On the sea were a few Common Guillemot, 2 Black Guillemot and singles of Arctic Skua and Kittiwake. In the afternoon we wandered around Reykjavik, visiting the large lake in the centre where we had excellent views of Whooper Swan, Greater Scaup, Wigeon; Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Red-breasted Merganser.
Tuesday 10th June: The morning was spent at the famous thermal spa at Blue Lagoon. On the way home we took the long route back, stopping occasionally, finding Whimbrel, Arctic Skua, Golden Plover and Common Ringed Plover.
Wednesday 11th June: A quiet day with a visit to Bakkatjörn where Ruddy Turnstone was a new addition. Other highlights were Common Redshank, Red-necked Phalarope, Arctic Skua, Oystercatcher, Arctic Terns and a pair of Black-tailed Godwit.
Thursday 12th June: A must for anyone visiting the west coast of Iceland is a trip to Thingvellir NP which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the ancient former location of the Icelandic Parliament. The unusual habit provides for both aquatic birds as well as raptors and passerines. About 30 mins from the visitors centre we found a group of Harlequin Duck and a brief view was had of a Gyrfalcon flying through. There were also small numbers of Frog Orchid growing by the side of the path and a very photogenic Common Snipe. Red-necked Phalarope, Redwing and Arctic Tern frequented the lakes as well as a single Whimbrel.
A quick pre-dinner walk to Bakkatjörn resulted in singles of Glaucous Gull and Kittiwake in addition to the usual birds.
Friday 13th June: An early morning walk around Bakkatjörn in Seltjarnarnes resulted in a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers on the beach. We then walked along the promenade into Reykjavik finding a very approachable Black-tailed Godwit feeding on the grass and a Glaucous Gull together with Greater Scaup and Red-breasted Merganser.
Back at Bakkatjörn later in the afternoon there were Ruddy Turnstone, Dunlin, Red-necked Phalarope, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Arctic Tern and 3 Long-tailed Duck, one of which drifted closer to the side of the lake.
Saturday 14th June: We decided to explore a new venue, namely Lake Vifilsstadavatn which is about 30 minutes east of Reykjavik by car. Immediately on arrival we spotted several Arctic Terns, a few Redwings, Tufted Duck, Common Redpoll, Meadow Pipit, Golden Plover and a single Great Northern Diver. Further round the lake we found several pairs of Horned Grebe which were in the process of nest building. However the highlight was a pair of Northern Green Orchids in flower growing by the side of the lake. These orchids are only found in Iceland, Greenland and the far north of Canada.
Sunday 15th June: At the end of a highly enjoyable week we flew back to Manchester. All in all a truly memorable experience, with quality rather than quantity in terms of wildlife, especially an unexpected new species of orchid and 3 new birds.
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