Birds

List of the birds in Siglufjördur according to tallies

Characteristic of Siglufjördur is the extensive and varied birdlife all year round. Some 2000 birds, of 16-18 different species are usually found in Siglufjördur at the Christmas tallying carried out by the Icelandic Institute of Natural History. There are even more species which nest in the area, and there is an increasing number of species which attempt to nest in the area, with or without permanent success.
By far the most numerous and varied birdlife is found in the area known as Leirurnar, tidal flats at the innermost end of the fjord. Since about 1980 this has become the nesting grounds for a fairly large number of arctic terns and eider ducks, on both sides of the fjord. An estimated 50 terns and 20-30 eiders nested in the area in 1980. By 1997 the nesting birds were many times that number, or an estimated 500 pairs of terns and 750 eider pairs.
In former times terns nested in Úlfsdalir, in Hédinsfjördur and on Siglunes in considerable numbers, but the nesting grounds in all these locations were deserted for the most part after the people left. The birds increased noticeably in number in the inner areas of the fjord after Siglunes was deserted.

 

Explanation of symbols: A = found year-round. V = winter bird. S = summer bird. O = permanent nesting bird. o = sporadically nesting bird. G = occasional visitor

  • Fulmar - S,O
  • Gannet - G
  • Cormorant - A
  • Whooper Swan - F
  • Pink-footed Goose - G
  • Greylag Goose - F
  • Wigeon - S,o
  • Teal - S,O
  • Mallard - A,O
  • Pintail - G
  • Shoveler - G
  • Tufted Duck - o
  • Scaup - S,O
  • Eider - A,O
  • King Eider - o
  • Harlequin - A,O
  • Long-tailed Duck - V
  • Barrow's Goldeneye - G
  • Red-breasted Merganser - A,O
  • Goosander - G
  • White-tailed Eagle - G
  • Merlin - S
  • Gyrfalcon - V
  • Ptarmigan - A,O
  • Water Rail - G
  • Ringed Plover - S,O
  • Golden Plover - S,O
  • Purple Sandpiper - A,O
  • Oystercatcher - S,O
  • Snipe - S,O
  • Black-tailed Godwit - S,O
  • Whimbrel - S,O
  • Redshank - S,O
  • Red-necked Phalarope - S,O
  • Arctic Skua - S,O
  • Great Skua - G
  • Black-headed Gull - A,O
  • Common Gull - o
  • Herring Gull - A,O
  • Glaucous Gull - V
  • Great black-backed Gull - A,O
  • Kittiwake - S,O
  • Arctic tern - S,O
  • Guillemot - G
  • Black Guillemot - V
  • Little Auk - G
  • Rock Dove - A,O
  • Snowy Owl - G
  • Short-eared Owl - G
  • Meadow Pipit - S,O
  • White Wagtail - S,O
  • Wren - S,O
  • Wheatear - S,O
  • Redwing - A,O
  • Starling - o
  • Raven - A,O
  • Redpoll - o
  • Snow Bunting - A,O

The following are the other birds, stray visitors from abroad and temporary residents which have been seen in Siglufjördur:

Grey Heron, Barnacle Goose, Shelduck, Lapwing, Knot, Woodcock, Curlew, Turnstone, Iceland Gull, Wood Pigeon, Turtle Dove, Long-eared Owl, Swift, Sand Martin, Swallow, Waxwing, Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch), Brambling, Siskin, Scarlet Rosefinch, Crossbill.