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Category Archives: Birdwatching

Land of light and ice

In courtesy of Birdwatch Magazine and Steve Young A pale-morph Arctic Skua drifted past, closely pursued by a Black- tailed Godwit, while a Red- necked Phalarope gave half- hearted assistance in the chase. A pair of Whooper Swans swam by on the river and Common Snipe performed their drumming display overhead. This was certainly a far […]

Gyrfalcon Polulation and Reproduction in Relation to Rock Ptarmigan Numbers in Iceland

In courtesy of Dr. Olafur K Nielsen and The Peregrine Fund Icelandic Institute of Natural History, Urriðaholtsstræti 6 –8, P.O. Box 125, 212 Garðabær, Iceland. E-mail: okn@ni.is I have studied the population ecology of the Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) since 1981 on a 5,300-km2 study area in northeast Iceland harbouring 83 traditional Gyrfalcon territories. The main […]

Status of the Icelandic Red Phalarope population

From the Magazine Bliki, published by The Icelandic Institute of Natural History, in coutesy of The Icelandic Institute of Natural History and Mr. Yann Kolbeinsson. The Red Phalarope is one of the rarest breeding birds in Iceland and has decreased in number or even disappeared from some breeding sites, especially in south-west Iceland. Studies were […]

The Impact of Food Availability on Gyrfalcon (Falco Rusticolus) Diet and Timing of Breeding

From the book Birds of Prey, in courtesy of Dr. Olafur K Nielsen and Des Thompson Introduction The gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus is a big and a powerful falcon of arctic and boreal alpine areas. It has long, broad, tapered wings and long tail, and is capable of making very fast and prolonged aerobic flights catching […]

Rare breeding birds in 2011

From the Magazine Fuglar, published by BirdLife Iceland, in courtesy of BirdLife Iceland and Tómas G. Gunnarsson Two new species were added to the list of Icelandic breeding birds in 2011: Canada Goose and Bohemian Waxwing. In addition a Willow Warbler with young was found, a species which at least on one previous occasion was […]

Oedipus Rex – The extraordinary love life of the Gyr Falcon

From the Magazine Fuglar, published by BirdLife Iceland, in courtesy of BirdLife Iceland and Tómas G. Gunnarsson Icelandic Gyr Falcons are grey but there is great individual variation. Some Gyr Falcons are pale, others dark. The palest birds were known as “silver” in the days when they were captured for export and categorized and priced […]

In Merlin country

From the Magazine Fuglar, published by BirdLife Iceland, in courtesy of BirdLife Iceland and Sindri Skúlason The loud, shrill alarm of a Merlin pierces the afternoon calm. I come to a stop in the ravine we are climbing up and take in the surroundings. It is the first confirmation that this old Merlin territory, which […]

In Gyr Falcon country

From the Magazine Fuglar, published by BirdLife Iceland, in courtesy of BirdLife Iceland and Sindri Skúlason A Gyr Falcon sits on a rocky outcrop in a steep ravine and gazes intensely over its surroundings. It is cloudy but now and again the sun breaks through the clouds and casts some light over the barren landscape. […]

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