Holidays > Worldwide Holidays > Iceland

Iceland is a land of amazing scenery with spectacular views. The evidence of volcanic activity is everywhere and this tour allows some time to take in these must see spectacles whilst birding. Our target is to see species that are normally associated with North America plus some of the Arctic birds on offer. Iceland has about 70 breeding species but does not have many passerines, it more than makes up for this with waders, wildfowl and seabirds. Iceland is an expensive country so this tour is arranged to make the most of our time but offer value for money but Iceland is a must see destination.

Expected Birds

Below is a list of the birds that we can reasonably expect to see at this time of year in this location.
This is intended only as a guide and we cannot guarantee that we will see every species listed, however we may also see birds which are not listed

• Great Northern Divers
• Harlequin
• Barrow’s Goldeneye
• Brunnich’s Guillemot
• Red-throated Diver
• Slavonian Grebe
• Dunlin
• Whimbrel
• Golden Plover
• Black-tailed Godwit
• Red-necked Phalarope
• Greater Scaup
• Whooper Swan
• Greylag
• Pink-footed Geese
• Black and Common Guillemot
• Razorbill
• Puffin
• Arctic and Great Skua
• King and Steller’s Eiders


• Glaucous Gulls
• Gyrfalcon
• White-tailed Eagle

Itinerary

Below is our planned itinerary for the trip, although we try our best to stick to our itineraries, occasionally it does become necessary to change things around a little bit due to the weather or the presence/lack of birds at particular sites during the time of our visit.

We shall work our way around to the Northern part of Iceland (6-7 hours to Skagafjordur with birding stops) with the world famous Myvatn (Midge Lake) being a particularly rich for birds (a further 2-3 hours). It is likely that we will spend two nights in the Myvatn area, two nights in Skagafjordur with a further night further south as we will visit Flatey Island and the Snaefellsnes peninsula.

We will experience the quality birding that is on offer including that with North American influence, breeding Great Northern Divers, Barrow's Goldeneye and Harlequin can all be seen exceptionally well. In addition Iceland offers breeding Red-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe plus Dunlin, Whimbrel, Golden Plover, Black-tailed Godwit and of course Red-necked Phalarope representing the common waders, wildfowl are also numerous with Greater Scaup, Tufted Duck, Whooper Swan, Greylag and Pink-footed Geese all breeding in huge numbers.

Seabirds are also on offer in vast numbers, the main target bird is Brunnich's Guillemot but Black and Common Guillemot, Razorbill and Puffin cannot be ignored in such profusion. Arctic and Great Skua are also common breeding birds and can be seen on the tour along with Iceland and Glaucous Gulls. We will look for Grey (Red) Phalarope at their only breeding site in Europe. We may also have the chance of seeing long-staying rarities such as King and Steller's Eiders among the huge Eider flocks or American wildfowl.

Finally we will be targeting the powerful and majestic Gyrfalcon but will also give some time to finding White-tailed Eagle. We will also spend time viewing volcanic craters, pseudocraters, fissures and lava fields whilst birding as it would be criminal to not see them close up when in the prime areas. It may even be worth bringing your swimming gear for a dip!

Suggested Itinerary

Land at Keflavik, a travel day with a few stops en-route to scan sea-duck flocks etc and look at Great Northern Divers etc. Transfer to the Myvatn area for two or possibly three nights.

Explore the wildlife and Myvatn area, stay the night.

Birding in the Myvatn area either all day and stay another night or travel to the Skagafjordur Valley transfer in the afternoon and stay the night here or nearby.

stay the night in Skagafjordur or nearby.

Transfer back toward Rekyjavik, visit the seabird cliffs on Snaefellsnes Peninsula and visit Flatey island for the tame birds and Grey Phalarope. Stay nearby en-route.

Perhaps search for any good American or Arctic birds (2008 we found Ring-billed Gull, American Wigeon and King Eider) or for White-tailed Eagle and catch return flight home.

Please note this itinerary may be altered due to the weather or the presence/lack of birds at particular sites during the time of our visit.

Holiday date:

10th - 15th June 2009

Holiday Cost:

£1199.00

Cost to WWT Members

£1139.05

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Deposit:

£250.00

Please read our Terms & Conditions for more information about Deposit payments

Single Room Supplement:

£80.00

If you are travelling alone but willing to share we maybe able to find a roommate for you to reduce the cost.
Please see the booking form for more information

Flights

Flights usually available from £185.00 - £240.00

What is included in the cost of your holiday?

All transport in Iceland and accommodation, breakfast and evening meals, entrance fees to reserves and the services of guides.Drinks, lunches and items of a personal nature are not included. The typical breakfasts are continental style; we may use cafes or service areas to save time as we are often on the road. Evening meals are usually three courses. Menu details can be forwarded on request when at least five clients have booked to check food requirements.

What is included in the cost of your holiday?

All transport in Iceland and accommodation, breakfast and evening meals, entrance fees to reserves and the services of guides.Drinks, lunches and items of a personal nature are not included. The typical breakfasts are continental style; we may use cafes or service areas to save time as we are often on the road. Evening meals are usually three courses. Menu details can be forwarded on request when at least five clients have booked to check food requirements.

Other Information

Flights and insurance are not included, insurance is essential. Anser can help arrange/book flights/insurance on your behalf if you prefer not to book your own, early booking leads to cheaper airfares with £185.00-240.00 being the norm for Icelandic flights. It is the clients’ responsibility to get to the airport but a transfer may possibly be arranged if enough people travel from Gloucestershire. A small charge will be made for this service to cover the costs. Please note; Anser cannot be held responsible for changes in flight times or delays etc. We are likely to stay in three areas, Skagafjordur, Myvatn and Snaefellsnes, it is well worth travelling this far North to see 17 species of duck which number c10,000 pairs and for the volcanic geothermal activity.

Lunch and fresh coffee stops will be made each day to collect provisions at a supermarket or suitable café/resthouse. Due to the fact that it does not really get dark, it is possible to go birding at any time, day or night although is important to rest and sleep. Anser guides will offer full commitment but will need to rest for your safety and to be alert to help locate birds. By staying in the locations offered you have the option to go birding when you wish.
The dates are suggested in the early stages of trip planning, they may change to take advantage of the cheapest flights and accommodation availability.
Note: Changes inevitably may happen so these details may vary.

Clothing & Equipment

Warm clothing such as a fleece with a waterproof should the evenings be cooler or we encounter a shower. If sunny then sun-cream, a hat, sunglasses and lighter clothes are advisable. Waterproof boots with adequate ankle support should be worn. Wellies can and have been taken but only used on a very small number of occasions, it is up to you if you wish to take them. A telescope and digital camera are desirable as the views and digi-pix opportunities are excellent. Anser guides carry Leica/Swarovski telescopes which will be set on any species showing for clients use. An inflatable travel neck pillow is worth taking for comfort when napping in the bus or plane. Towel and swimming costume/shorts are worth taking if the chance of a dip in heated pools arises or if we take advantage of the numerous outdoor natural or artificial hot-tubs to ease the strain of lifers. We have visited the natural thermal baths.

Environment

Uneven tracks are encountered but most areas are flat and provide easy walking. We are never too far from the car/bus. The boat trip to Flatey is via a large passenger ferry.. We also may encounter wet boggy ground, gravel plains and rocky terrain.

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01452 741591

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