Late May is a perfect time to come over to Iceland to see our local specialities such as Common Loon (Great Northern Diver), Harlequin Duck, Barrow’s Goldeneye and Thick-billed Murre (Brünnich's Guillemots). Not to mention the magnificent experience of greeting the migrants as they arrive.

Day 1: Keflavik – Hveragerdi

Early morning start from Reykjavik (or Keflavik depending on where participants are located). We will have a look at few wetlands on the north tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula which should yield some of the year’s first Red-necked Phalaropes. Other migrants, such as the Ringed Plover, European Golden Plover and drumming Common Snipe, will be conspicuous while the shorelines will have migrating Red Knots, Sanderlings, Dunlins and Purple Sandpipers and of course all will be in splendid summer plumage. Then we will make our way eastwards for lunch on the south coast of Iceland where breeding Red-throated Loon (Red-throated Diver) will be flying to and from their close breeding sites. A look at sea will produce Eiders amongst other birds. Apart from the birdlife we will be witnessing the highly active volcanic and at some times moon-like nature at Reykjanes Peninsula. It is an exciting area on the margin of the Eurasian and North American plates, directly located on the Mid-Atlantic ridge. It’s a mysterious and breathtaking area of volcanic rock, lava, fissures and gorges and along the shore the ocean waves sweep unhindered onto the coast.

In the afternoon we will walk through the Flói Nature Reserve where we will observe breeding Red-throated Divers while we will have Common Snipes drumming around us. Other species we will observe include breeding Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits, stealing Parasitic Jaegers (Arctic Skuas) and spinning Red-necked Phalaropes. Night near Hveragerði.

Day 2: Hveragerdi – Þingvellir – Hellnar

On our way to Þingvellir National Park we will pick up few pairs of Harlequin Ducks in their exquisite breeding plumage while with luck we might encounter several breeding Great Northern Diver (Common Loon) which can easily be seen in the National Park. With some luck we might come accross a hunting Merlin or see Rock Ptarmigans guarding their territory. Winter Wrens stay in the birch scrub of the lava fields and might also be observed. On our way to the next hotel we should come accross the White-tailed Eagle and Common Shelducks. Northern Fulmars and Kittiwakes will be numerous around our hotel at Hellnar.

Day 3: Hellnar - Reykjavik  

The day will be spent driving around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Words cannot express the mystery, wonder and almost surreal energy of the Snæfellsnes peninsula! The major landmark is the Snæfellsjökull glacier which is renowned for its mystical powers and has captured the imagination of people all over the world, ever since Jules Verne wrote “The Journey to the Centre of the Earth” in 1871. The area features extraordinary moorlands, meadows, marshlands, rivers, streams and small ponds along with beautiful rock formations and black sand beaches. Local specialities include Harlequin Ducks, Brünnich's Guillemots (Thick-billed Murre) (amongst the commoner Common Guillemot (Common Murre) and Razorbills) in the seabird cliffs, Horned (Slavonian) Grebes and Glaucous Gulls breeding on impressive mountains. With luck we might even spot whales from land. The last night will be spent in the capital, Reykjavik.

Day 4: Reykjavik – Keflavik 

A midday flight from Keflavik gives us the morning to do some birding. We will have a quick look for Common Blackbirds and Icelandic Redpolls in the city before leaving towards the Reykjanes Peninsula. We will concentrate on good birding spots near the airport which should produce late Iceland Gulls and the trip’s only Manx Shearwaters and we might even see Minke Whale and White-beaked Dolphins from land.