harlequin ducks (1 Viewer)

Is it possible to see Harlequins in Iceland in Winter and what other species might I see if I was to combine a bit of birding with a Northern Lights tour?
Thanks

Not answering your question per se, but a Northern Lights trip to Varager Fjord, Arctic Norway, in early March offers both the lights and truly spectacular birding.

Harlequins must be available in mid-winter Iceland, but I'm sure Edward will be along soon, giving much better answers than my waffle.

Quit waffling, Jos, ;-)

Harlequins are easily seen in Iceland throughout the year, there are 14,000-16,000 birds here in winter according to the last survey so you'd be unlikely to miss out if you visit the right areas - they stick to certain favourite spots and are more or less only found on the coast in winter, usually close to land.

The best period for winter birding is March when the daylight hours are good again and other birds that you can see at that time of year which might be of interest to you include:
Barrow's Goldeneye, King Eider, Gyr Falcon, Ptarmigan (no need to trudge up to 3,000 ft to see them in Iceland as they breed at sea level and on the outskirts of Reykjavík), Glaucous Gull and Iceland Gull (thousands of each in the right conditions), Snow Bunting and there are usually scarce American ducks such as Ring-necked Duck, American Wigeon and Black Duck knocking around. And attractive ducks such as Eider and Long-tailed Duck are abundant and you'll see a lifetime's supply of Ravens too.

The Northern Lights are harder to guarantee - I see them a lot but it's also cloudy a lot and Icelandic winter weather is pretty unpredictable - it might be nice and calm, or it might be horizontal sleet.