Thingvellir National Park

Iceland

Overview

Despite its dramatic scenery with volcanoes, lava fields and at 83km2, the largest lake in the country, this national park was set up for historical reasons as the site of the early Icelandic paliament. Much of the habitat around the lake is meadows with a few shrubs and dwarf birches and moss and lichen on the more exposed areas.

Birds

Notable Species

The lake itself, Thingvallavatn, is deeper than Myvatn and has steep and rocky shores making it less attractive to waterfowl although Tufted Duck, Greater Scaup and Goosander are usually present in summer. Great Northern Diver also breeds on the lake, Harlequin Duck on the nearby River Oxara and Barrow's Goldeneye are present all year on the River Sog, the main river draining the lake. Common Goldeneye winter on this river and Whooper Swan visit on passage. Black-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel breed in the many grassy meadows close to the lake, Snow Bunting and Merlinsare common in the area and Gyrfalcon is seen regularly. Lesser Black-backed Gull and Arctic Tern also breed around the lake.

Although the birds are fewer and less varied than those of Lake Myvatn this lake, at only 50km from Rekjavik, is much easier to get to.

Checkllist

Birds you can see here include:

Great Northern Diver, Whooper Swan, Tufted Duck, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander, Merlin, Gyr Falcon, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Arctic Tern, Snow Bunting

Site Information

History and Use

To do

Areas of Interest

To do

Access and Facilities

The route is clearly signposted from the capital and buses are frequent. There is a hotel at Thingvallavatn.

Contact Details

Content and images originally posted by Steve