October 20, 2005
An Icelandic Birding Diary
Something of a world exclusive for this blog, and a complete pleasure to boot - the chance to be the first to announce and publicise the arrival of a new birding blog on the scene. This one's rather different to the run of the mill birds-what-I've-spotted-at-my-local-reservoir, as it's the diary of a friend of mine who lives and birds somewhere most of us can only dream about - Iceland.
Birding there is by all accounts not that dissimilar to birding in Shetland, insofar as there's a relatively small number of regular breeding species, and a huge potential for vagrant species from further afield. There the similarities end. Iceland's breeding birds include such wonders as Harlequin, Brunnich's Guillemot and more phalaropes than you could shake a Gyrfalcon at. Their autumn vagrants tend to have a more American flavour than Shetland's usual Sibe theme. It's scintillating stuff. And best of all, it's recounted in a dry and compelling style, and complemented with great photos (unlike my usual standard of blithe wittering and blurry snapshots). Perhaps I shouldn't recommend this... you'll never come back...
The Diary has just started, and is already awash with species that make me green with envy. Ever fancied finding a Buff-bellied Pipit? EBR did just that recently, and tells us how it feels. I have a shrewd suspicion there will be plenty more American passerines featuring in the next updates, and maybe even an account of finding a 2nd ever record of a species for Iceland...
>Click here for the Icelandic Birding Diary<
As for Shetland? Desert Wheatear yesterday on the nearby Out Skerries, so there's hope for us yet. Not really the same as a catharus thrush or two though...
Follow the Weather Starling for a forecast, or see Shetland live on the NAFC webcam… 
Today's North Atlantic chart
An Icelandic Birding Diary (Iceland, funnily enough)
Nature in Shetland website - all the up-to-date bird, insect, cetacean etc news for Shetland, plus photos... indispensable.
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Come back soon!
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