Bird watching
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Birds and birdwatching
Garðskagi is the name given to the tip of the Rosmhvalanes peninsula, Rosmhvalur being an old Icelandic name for walrus. Rosmhvalanes is the area north of the isthmus formed by the inlets Ósar to the west and Njarðvík to the east. It is often referred to as the "toe" on the larger Reykjanes peninsula.
Garðskagi is renowned for its varied bird life at all times of the year. The peninsula's location and its range of habitats make it one of the best birdwatching locations in Iceland, and Garðskagi is known to birdwatchers far and wide. The beaches around Garður and the three small lakes in the village: Útskálasíki, Miðhúsasíki and Gerðasíki, attract a wide range of birds throughout the year, although the lakes usually freeze over in midwinter.
Almost 200 species have been recorded in Garður, some of them only once but most more regularly. This section discusses the most common species or common families of birds seen at Garðskagi.
Click here for an overview of the different birds seen at Garðskagi.
Click on the pictures of birds for more detailed information: