Reykjavik early July (1 Viewer)

[coolboy]

Hi
We’re planning a family holiday to Reykjavik in early July. I’d be really keen to see Harlequin, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Red-Necked phalarope, Brunnich’s Guillemot and would be happy if I stumbled across a Gyr Falcon but realise that’d far from guaranteed.
An earlier post suggested the River Sog for Harlequin and Barrow’s and Lake Bakkatjörn for the phalarope. Would these still be fairly reliable sites?
If possible I’d like to drive to Svortuloft lighthouse on the Snæfellsnes peninsula for Brunnich’s.
Does anyone have any other recommendations for seeing these species around Reykjavik?
Any advice much appreciated.
Tom

 

[Edward]

Hi Tom,
My first suggestion is to familiarize yourself with eBird, there is a lot of information there to help you find your target birds there.
As for those targets, Harlequin is widespread and not uncommon but many (but not all) of the males will have left the breeding rivers by early July. Males which have left go out to sea, and if you are looking for Brunnich’s at Svörtuloft there could well be male Harlequins on the sea there, they stick close to land. They also occur further round on the Snæfellsnes peninsula at Arnarstapi. But there will also be Harlequins on many rivers – use eBird.
Brunnich’s Guillemot is getting scarcer and scarcer at Svörtuloft but is hanging on, they are there but greatly outnumbered by Common Guillemot and Razorbill. Definitely worth visiting, even with non-birding family, and there is a chance of Killer Whale and other whales in this area and Arctic Fox in the lava field. I would definitely try to visit Snæfellsnes if you can.
Barrow’s Goldeneye is more of a winter bird at the river Sog but does breed there in some years. Harlequin breeds along this river too.
Red-necked Phalarope is common and widespread.
Gyr Falcon is difficult in summer in southern Iceland and numbers are at an all-time low throughout the country for reasons not yet understood. It’s certainly possible you will come across one, but I wouldn’t bank on it. Last year was the first year I failed to see a Gyr Falcon during the summer in their stronghold of north-east and north-west Iceland (only saw them in Reykjavík in winter in 2024).

 

[coolboy]

Hi Tom,
My first suggestion is to familiarize yourself with eBird, there is a lot of information there to help you find your target birds there.
As for those targets, Harlequin is widespread and not uncommon but many (but not all) of the males will have left the breeding rivers by early July. Males which have left go out to sea, and if you are looking for Brunnich’s at Svörtuloft there could well be male Harlequins on the sea there, they stick close to land. They also occur further round on the Snæfellsnes peninsula at Arnarstapi. But there will also be Harlequins on many rivers – use eBird.
Brunnich’s Guillemot is getting scarcer and scarcer at Svörtuloft but is hanging on, they are there but greatly outnumbered by Common Guillemot and Razorbill. Definitely worth visiting, even with non-birding family, and there is a chance of Killer Whale and other whales in this area and Arctic Fox in the lava field. I would definitely try to visit Snæfellsnes if you can.
Barrow’s Goldeneye is more of a winter bird at the river Sog but does breed there in some years. Harlequin breeds along this river too.
Red-necked Phalarope is common and widespread.
Gyr Falcon is difficult in summer in southern Iceland and numbers are at an all-time low throughout the country for reasons not yet understood. It’s certainly possible you will come across one, but I wouldn’t bank on it. Last year was the first year I failed to see a Gyr Falcon during the summer in their stronghold of north-east and north-west Iceland (only saw them in Reykjavík in winter in 2024).

Thanks Edward
I’ve been searching through E-bird. It seems to be the best reference for where to look? I’ll be happy with red-necked phalarope! Went to Lewis with the family early July a few years ago but didn’t see them and missed a couple of local migrants.
I know lake Mývatn would have been best but just a bit too far to travel
Tom