Icelandic Nature

Just back after another working week in north west Iceland, a little south of Isajfordur, where I got the chance on this trip to snap off a few shots of local and common breeding birds. It is always a delight to see birds in breeding plumage, on the breeding grounds, as compared to migrating through Ireland or stopping here for the winter.

 Harlequin Ducks or river ducks as they are known in Iceland John N Murphy

Female Teal close to her nest site

 A male Black-tailed Godwit in breeding plumage John N Murphy

 A colour ringed Oystercatcher near Arngerdareyri John N Murphy

 Glaucous Gulls at Budardalur John N Murphy

 

 Young Seal moulting John N Murphy

 Arctic Tern, one of the longest migrating species on the planet John N Murphy

 Purple Sandpiper John N Murphy

 Redshank holding territory on a post  John N Murphy

 Icelandic Redwing John N Murphy

 Adult breeding dark phased Arctic Skua John N Murphy

 Whimbrel on display mounds John N Murphy

 Ringed Plover male John N Murphy

 A male Rock Ptarmagin John N Murphy

 Golden Plover John N Murphy

 Eider Ducks John N Murphy

Where has the summer gone

I'm not quiet sure is it age or a large work load, but the summer has passed me by so fast this year.  The longest day is only a distant memory now and already young fledglings of summer breeders back from Africa are out and about and ready to make the long track south.  Here are a selection of a few shots from the summer period of these birds etc..  Roll on the sea watching season and the autumn.

 Buzzard John N Murphy

 Black Redstart at Loop Head John N Murphy

 Juvenile Sedge Warbler in spruce plantation John N Murphy

 

 Whitethroats John N Murphy

 Willow Warbler John N Murphy

 

 Spotted Flycatcher with hover Fly John N Murphy