To see a photo gallery from the June 2004 tour,
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Iceland is filled with dramatic landscapes and spectacular scenery. There
are volcanoes and glaciers, waterfalls, geysers, pools of water laden with
sulfur, sea-cliffs, and lakes. Geothermal energy is the main power source and,
as a consequence, there is little pollution generated by its nearly 300,000
inhabitants. With its northern shores bordering the Arctic Circle, you would
think that frigid temperatures would be the rule in Iceland, but the waters of
the north Atlantic serve to moderate the conditions and make it quite
livable.
There are about 70 species of birds that breed, and the world's largest
colonies of Atlantic Puffin and Arctic Tern are found here. There are steep
seaside cliffs where hundreds of thousands of birds breed, including Atlantic
Puffin, Razorbill, Black Guillemot, Common and Thick-billed Murres, Black-legged
Kittiwakes, and Northern Fulmars. Great Skuas and Parasitic Jaegers cruise these
colonies in search of prey. There are also many breeding shorebirds, including
the beautiful and graceful Red-necked Phalarope, and the Black-tailed Godwit.
There are sixteen species of waterfowl, such as Pink-footed Goose and Tufted
Duck, many of which can be seen at Lake Myvatn. There are several spectacular
raptor species, including White-tailed Eagle and Gyrfalcon.
Iceland's offshore waters are home to many Cetaceans, and the tour
includes a cruise in one of the fjords to look for minke whales and harbor
porpoise. As part of the boat cruise, we will also stop on the island of
Hrisey, where many Ptarmigans are found
Our walks will be mostly on good terrain and should be no more than
about three or four miles per day. There are few locations in the world, which
are more scenically spectacular for a natural history and birdwatching tour!
The cost for this tour, from Reykjavik, $3,495.00 per
person, double occupancy with in-suite bathrooms. Single supplement $400.00. The price does not include the cost of getting to and from
Iceland, alcoholic or other bottled drinks, and items of a personal nature. Cost
should remain the same, barring unforeseen circumstances such as a change in the
exchange rate, or soaring airline prices.
Note: The price includes all transfers, ground transportation, a boat
trip to Flatey, one whale-watch trip, all meals, local guides, and the guiding
services of Mark Suomala.
To Register, send a deposit of $500.00 per person payable to Mark
Suomala. The deposit is fully refundable if I cancel the trip. If you cancel,
the deposit, less a $25.00 service charge is refundable up to 120 days before
the start of the tour. After 120 days, the full deposit may be non-refundable,
depending upon circumstances.
Itinerary - Subject to change
Take an overnight flight from Boston to Reykjavik on Tuesday, June 13,
arriving in early morning, Icelandic time. I will recommend a flight ahead of
time, so that we can all arrive together, or at least around the same time.
Day 1: Wednesday, June 14
Transfer to our hotel in Snæfellsnes, about 3 hours drive from
Reykjavík, where we will have dinner. Long days and light nights make June the
best time for a birdwatching trip to Iceland. Iceland's breeding waders,
wildfowl and seabirds are justifiably world famous and this tour is designed to
show you the best of them. As we travel to Snæfellsnes in west Iceland there'll
be ample time for several birdwatching stops.
Day 2: Thursday, June 15
Snæfellsnes: The perfect introduction to Iceland.
The majestic scenery of Snæfellsnes provides a remarkable backdrop for our
first day's birdwatching in Iceland. We travel to the very tip of the peninsula
and expect to find Thick-billed Murres and other auks on their nesting cliffs,
and we may see dolphins and Orcas offshore. Breeding waders are everywhere and
we will have good views of Red-necked Phalaropes, and lots of Atlantic Puffins!
Day 3: Friday, June 16
Flatey: A birdwatcher's island paradise.
We'll spend the day on a round-trip cruise to the island of Flatey. The cruise
will take us through cruise through the islands of the southern Breidafjorour, a
large bay with numerous islands and skerries. Flatey is a naturalist's dream and
we expect to get close up views of the many breeding Snow Buntings, waders and
wildfowl. There are also White-tailed Eagles here, and we may find the elusive
Red Phalarope.
Day 4: Saturday, June 17
Heading North
Drive of around 5 hrs to next hotel that is in a wonderful location overlooking
Eyjafjörður. Our journey takes us along the shores of Breiðafjörður and on
through magnificent countryside to Eyjafjörður in the far north of Iceland.
There will be many opportunities to birdwatch along the way with a good chance
of encountering more White-tailed Eagles. We will also look for Ptarmigans.
Day 5: Sunday, June 18
Mývatn: Iceland's wildfowl spectacular!
Lake Mývatn is famous for its breeding wildfowl, and our visit coincides with
the one of the best times to be there. We will see Europe's only breeding
Barrow's Goldeneye and Harlequin Duck amidst thousands of Tufted Duck, Scaup,
and Wigeon. Less common are Long-tailed Duck, Pintail, Shoveler, Goosander,
Scoter, Mallard, and Teal. Slavonian Grebe, Whooper Swan, Red-throated Diver and
Great Northern Diver also breed here, and Gyrfalcon is possible.
Day 6: Monday, June 19
We'll take a whale watching boat trip that includes a short visit to Hrísey
Island in Eyjafjðrður. In the fjord we'll look for minke whales and
harbour porpoises. Hrisey is home to a thriving population of Ptarmigans and we
anticipate some good views. There's also the chance that we may encounter a
hunting Gyrfalcon, as their preferred prey in Iceland is Ptarmigan. We will also
have some time to spend in Akureyri, Iceland's 'second city', and visit the
botanical gardens there.
Day 7: Tuesday, June 20
Across Iceland's interior
Our hotel is located amidst some delightful country with breeding waders all
around. We'll have an adventurous day's travel across Iceland's interior as we
head for the south of Iceland and our next hotel. We shall visit the hot spring
area of Hveravellir on the way. We will also stop at the dramatic falls of
Gullfoss and the famous geysers at Geysir. There's a good chance of encountering
Gyr Falcon and perhaps Pink-footed Geese on our journey.
Day 8: Wednesday, June 21
Mýrdalsjökull
Glaciers and Great Skuas
We'll travel to the glacier of Mýrdalsjökull. The tumbled moraines at the
edge of the glacier provide much of interest for botanists and geologists, and
we will see Great Skuas here. We should also locate one of Iceland's real
breeding rarities - Wren T.t. islandicus, near some dramatic waterfalls. We hope
to have time to visit the coast at Dyrhólaey for some seawatching. Orcas are
sometimes seen offshore, and the coastal landscapes here are impressive.
Day 9: Thursday, June 22
In the shadow of Hekla
Hekla is Iceland's most famous volcano and provides the backdrop for some of
the most rugged and spectacular scenery to be found in the world. We'll
concentrate on finding Harlequin Ducks in the fast flowing streams and there
should be some exceptional photographic opportunities today, weather permitting.
With luck, we may again encounter Gyrfalcon and Ptarmigan.
Day 10: Friday, June 23
Our leisurely journey to the airport will be via the coastal villages of
Stokkseyri and Eyrarbakki. We'll hope to have time to visit Iceland's newest
wetland nature reserve to look for Red-throated Divers, Black-tailed Godwits and
Red-necked Phalaropes
Note: Some activities are weather dependent and, of
course, wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. Additionally, weather and road
conditions may necessitate changes to the program at short notice.
Map
courtesy of:
http://www.worldatlas.com
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Mark Suomala
P.O. Box 625
Epsom, NH 03234
(603)798-3441
