Keep your eyes open and camera ready. In the next few days, chances are that you could be the first to see the bird that’s believed to bring spring to Iceland.
According to an old Icelandic tradition, the arrival of first European golden plover is considered to mark the long awaited beginning of spring and when the first plover is spotted it is announced on every Icelandic news channel every year.
The first European golden plovers usually arrive in March, although the main arrival does not happen until a month later.
Approximately half of the golden plover European population breed is in Iceland, with around 500 to 700 thousand breeding pairs. During the winter the birds stay in the British Isles and along the coast in other countries in western Europe all the way to Gibraltar, and some go even as far as to North-Africa.
The golden plover is held in especially high regard in Iceland. It is a protected species and it is considered a sacrilege to kill the bird.
Keep your eyes open and camera ready. In the next few days, chances are that you could be the first to see the bird that’s believed to bring spring to Iceland.
According to an old Icelandic tradition, the arrival of first European golden plover is considered to mark the long awaited beginning of spring and when the first plover is spotted it is announced on every Icelandic news channel every year.
The first European golden plovers usually arrive in March, although the main arrival does not happen until a month later.
Approximately half of the golden plover European population breed is in Iceland, with around 500 to 700 thousand breeding pairs. During the winter the birds stay in the British Isles and along the coast in other countries in western Europe all the way to Gibraltar, and some go even as far as to North-Africa.
The golden plover is held in especially high regard in Iceland. It is a protected species and it is considered a sacrilege to kill the bird.
