Nesting by wetland birds in Southern Iceland seem to have been far more successful than ecologists had feared earlier this spring. Dr. Tómas Grétar Gunnarsson, director of the South Iceland Research Centre, University of Iceland, who leads the study of wetland birds in Southern Iceland, told local media outlet Visir.is that the cold spring had caused considerable concern.
“We have yet to see whether all the chicks manage to survive, but things are looking far better than we had feared in the spring.”
Tómas adds that the birds who nested early in the spring had been far less successful, as their nests were not protected from the cold and bad weather, since vegetation was slow awaken to life after the winter.
A lot of nesting birds, a lot of chicks
Tómas believes that of all the wading birds, the Eurasian Oystercatcher was probably most successful at nesting this spring, but adds that the crucial test will come this fall, when the birds prepare for their southern migration.
“There are alot of birds with chicks. They are a bit late, and that will perhaps be a factor this fall when they prepare for their migration. It is crucial the birds have reached maturity at that point.”
Most species are doing surprisingly well
Gunnar Þór Hallgrímsson, ornithologist and Associate Professor at the University of Iceland notes that the late summer and cold spring mean most birds nested later than usually. However, many species seem to be doing quite well, including most seagulls, who seem to be doing better than in previous years.
Icelandic bird-watchers are excited about seeing the counts of whimbrels and the European golden plovers, migratory birds which are held in especially high regard by all Icelanders. Both seem to have had significant trouble this spring, driving golden plovers into people‘s yards in towns and cities, which is highly unusual.
Nesting by wetland birds in Southern Iceland seem to have been far more successful than ecologists had feared earlier this spring. Dr. Tómas Grétar Gunnarsson, director of the South Iceland Research Centre, University of Iceland, who leads the study of wetland birds in Southern Iceland, told local media outlet Visir.is that the cold spring had caused considerable concern.
“We have yet to see whether all the chicks manage to survive, but things are looking far better than we had feared in the spring.”
Tómas adds that the birds who nested early in the spring had been far less successful, as their nests were not protected from the cold and bad weather, since vegetation was slow awaken to life after the winter.
A lot of nesting birds, a lot of chicks
Tómas believes that of all the wading birds, the Eurasian Oystercatcher was probably most successful at nesting this spring, but adds that the crucial test will come this fall, when the birds prepare for their southern migration.
“There are alot of birds with chicks. They are a bit late, and that will perhaps be a factor this fall when they prepare for their migration. It is crucial the birds have reached maturity at that point.”
Most species are doing surprisingly well
Gunnar Þór Hallgrímsson, ornithologist and Associate Professor at the University of Iceland notes that the late summer and cold spring mean most birds nested later than usually. However, many species seem to be doing quite well, including most seagulls, who seem to be doing better than in previous years.
Icelandic bird-watchers are excited about seeing the counts of whimbrels and the European golden plovers, migratory birds which are held in especially high regard by all Icelanders. Both seem to have had significant trouble this spring, driving golden plovers into people‘s yards in towns and cities, which is highly unusual.
