0,
Here we will make do with a short description of two areas, although they do by no means exhaust the opportunities for birdwatching. Other areas, such as the islands in Breidafjordur, the Reykhólar area, Onundarfjordur and Heydalur and many more, also offer wonderful opportunities for birdwatchers.
Latrabjarg and vicinity
The road goes out to the lighthouse at Bjargtangar, the westernmost point of Iceland, and from there to the edge of the Latrabjarg cliff. In the
summer there are scheduled trips between Latrabjarg and the main towns of the Westfjords region.
The road goes around Patreksfjordur before turning inland at Orlygshofn and over the heath above Breidavik, and along Latravik out to the end of the
point. Orlygshofn is an important nesting area for eiders and there are a huge number of waders and sea birds in the bays. There are a large number of
wetland birds in Breidavik, and in Latravik an unusual number of ringed plovers. Snow buntings occur in large numbers on the uplands. Stretching for
14 km and rising to 440 m at its highest point, Latrabjarg is the largest bird cliff in Iceland and also the largest by the North Atlantic.
It is thought that as many as a million birds of various kinds nest on the cliffs of Latrabjarg, including all the alcids that nest in Iceland, with
the exception of the little auk. In fact, at the foot of the cliffs is the largest razorbill colony in the world. In addition to the swarm of
guillemots and other alcids, there is a large number of fulmars and kittiwakes. And perhaps most exciting for the traveler, nowhere is the puffin
easier to approach or more fun to watch.
On the shores of fjord Isafjardardjup
Those places here discussed are easily reached by road. Furthermore, in summer there are sightseeing trips by sea over the fjord and all the way west
to Hornstrandir.
The coast is steep in most places, the cliffs plunging into the sea, and only in some places is there a shelf of land at sea level. Nevertheless, the
shores are better vegetated than in most of the region. The mountainsides and the valley bottoms often sport birch woods, and the islands of Aedey and Vigur and other smaller ones are covered in summer with grasses and flowers. The shores of Isafjardardjúp and the head of the valley have a softer
look than elsewhere in the northern reaches of the Westfjords.
A large number of eiders, puffins and other sea birds nest on the islands. Ptarmigan are found back from the shore and wrens sing in the "woods". It is
good to stop for a moment at some places by the sea and look for long-tailed ducks (old squaws) or goosanders. Harlequin ducks are found in the rivers and streams, and sea eagles nest by the fjord.
The islands of Aedey and Vigur are among the choicest spots for birdwatching. Both islands have large eider colonies and on Vigur, for example, a large number of puffins and pigeon guillemots are easlily accessible. Vatnsfjordur and Reykjanes also are homes to a varied bird life.