Wonderful Waders

Despite the sheer volume of waterfowl and incredible views of whales, for me, the wildlife highlight (outside the world of seabirds of course!) of Iceland is in its waders. The UK has a lot of waders either breeding in or migrating through the country throughout the year and some of these provide some of our best wildlife sightings. Although the species I saw in Iceland can all be seen in the UK, at times in very large numbers, seeing them all in full summer plumage and actively breeding was quite special. What’s more, the Icelandic countryside is, in comparison, largely unspoilt compared to the UK and so walking or driving down the roads will give views of waders scattered everywhere! On the coast, in lakes and pools and flying over fields I have never seen waders so well or so frequently as I did in Iceland.

Whimbrel - we are more used to seeing curlew in the UK but do see their slightly smaller cousin on passage often. But in Iceland they are a very regular sight all over.

Golden plover.

Black-tailed godwit.

Dunlin - not just a passage bird but a breeding species in Iceland.

Knot.

Redshank - like the dunlin a breeding species and I was fortunate enough to see chicks of both (although photographing speedy little camouflaged fluff balls is pretty difficult!).

Snipe - doing a great impression of a perching bird, snipe were seen and heard everywhere we went.

Snipe - sleeping on a post next to our campsite on the edge of a small town, more than I ever expected!

Snipe - probably the most regularly seen and heard wader during my time in Iceland, snipe were even found on the pathways around Myvatn lake.

Snipe - the chicks were running around as well!

Purple sandpiper - on the headland of Langanes the purple sandpiper, and dunlin, chicks were regularly seen in the vegetation on top of the cliffs.

Purple sandpiper - a very strikingly patterned chick.

Purple sandpiper - the adults were about regularly on our walk to the study site at Langanes.

Red-necked phalarope - not easy to see in the UK, with the best chances in some Scottish locations, but numerous around Iceland seen in bays, pools and lakes all over.

Red-necked phalarope - nest hidden away in the grass.

Red-necked phalarope - closest views at Myvatn.

Red-necked phalarope - a species where the female is more brightly coloured than the male.

With so much to see and do around Iceland it is an incredible place; and even better when the work takes us to practically uninhabited seabird islands as well!