The "Birding in the West" tour gives us an opportunity to show you the great west of Iceland. On this tour we are in the kingdom of the White-tailed Eagle. Literally hundreds of thousands of seabirds inhabit the area around Breidafjördur and among them the arctic Brünnich’s Guillemot which is at it’s southernmost breeding point. As we head west, all the way to the unbelievably vast seabird colonies perched at the westernmost point of Europe, we'll pass through remote countryside and see good numbers of birds on our way.

Day 1. Keflavik – Þingvellir

Early morning start from Keflavik (international visitors requested to arrive a day earlier to Iceland). We will have a look at a few wetlands on the Reykjanes peninsula which should yield the first Red-necked Phalaropes of the trip. 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.

The Knots and Sanderling will have passed through by the first week of June. Then we will make our way eastwards for lunch on the south coast of Iceland where breeding Red-throated Divers [Red-throated Loon] will be flying to and from their close breeding sites. A look at sea will produce Eiders amongst other birds. In the early afternoon we will walk through the Flói Nature Reserve where the Red-throated Divers breed as well as the Icelandic Black-tailed Godwit, Arctic Skua (Parasitic Jaeger for our American readers) and Red-necked Phalaropes. From there we will go to Þingvellir National Park where we will stay overnight. On the way there we might get our first looks of Barrow’s Goldeneye and Harlequin Duck. Overnight at Þingvellir.

Day 2: Þingvellir – Hellnar

The day will be started looking at the local Great Northern Diver. With luck and good weather we might even hear the Winter Wren singing in the birch scrub of the lava fields. From there starts our journey westwards to the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Birds on the way include Common Shelduck and the chance of coming accross the White-tailed Eagle. We will also drive past small wetlands that are inhabited by numerous Red-throated Divers and the occasional Rock Ptarmigan can also be spottted. The Golden Plovers and Whimbrels observe their territories from the tussocks of the moorlands. Horned [Slavonian] Grebes also nest here. While getting closer to our hotel the seabirds will start show themselves with the noisy but elegant Kittiwake as well as the abundant Northern Fulmar. Night at Hellnar.

Day 3: Hellnar – Grundarfjordur

We will start the day with a whalewatching tour. Species regularly recorded here include the Minke Whale, White-beaked Dolphin and the Blue Whale. Seabirds are also seen, numerous Puffins and the occasional Northern Gannet and skuas. The afternoon will be spent on the north coast of Snæfellsnes. Various pools often hold migrating (and vagrant) shorebirds while the Glaucous Gull haunts the coastline, and occasionally a summering Iceland Gull.

Day 4: Grundarfjordur – Breidavik

Today we will move on to one of the largest seabird cliffs of the world, Latrabjarg. On the way we will stop for a few hours at Flatey island. This relaxing place offers also great views of Common Redshanks, Arctic Terns, Black Guillemots, Snow Buntings and more. After dinner at our hotel we will go briefly at Latrabjarg cliff. The cliff stretches for 14 km and is literally full of alcids, all five species that breed in Iceland; Common and [Common & Thick-billed Murres], Razorbills, Puffins and Black Guillemots. Other birds might include the European Shag, Harlequin Ducks and vagrants such as the Lapland Bunting.

Day 5: Breidavik – Reykjavík

The morning will be spent again at the seabird cliff while the rest of the day will be spent driving south to the capital, Reykjavik. Several stops on the way should produce White-tailed Eagles. One can also expect the Gyr Falcon or Merlin anywhere along the road. Overnight in Reykjavík with the possibility of walking to the downtown lake, which holds breeding Greater Scaups and Arctic Terns after dinner.

Day 6: Reykjavik – Keflavik

A midday flight from Keflavik gives us only 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.