Skaftafell National Park Iceland
Containing some of Iceland's most dramatic scenery, including hot springs, the highest mountain and largest glacier, Skaftafell is also has a rich and varied flora and a good range of breeding birds. For birders Skaftafell is famous for breeding skuas, both Arctic and Great breed on the Skeidararsandur, an extensive sand-plain formed by glacial outwash, that also has breeding Great Black-backed Gulls. The birch woodlands are home to Redwing and the Icelandic race of Wren and Brambling has bred. The more open and marshy areas have Golden Plover, Common Snipe, Common Redshank, Meadow Pipit and Northern Wheatear.
Like the rest of Iceland mammals are few but Arctic Fox and introduced American Mink are sometimes seen. Plantlife includes Pyramidal and Yellow Mountain Saxifrage, Harebell, Twayblade and Maidenhair Spleenwort.
Skaftafell is 15km north-west of Hofn and access is unrestricted. The park has a campsite with shop and marked hiking trails.
Birds
Birds you can see here include:
Red-throated Diver, Rock Ptarmigan, Golden Plover, Common Snipe, Common Redshank, Red-necked Phalarope, Great Skua, Arctic Skua, Great Black-backed Gull, Razorbill, Meadow Pipit, Icelandic Wren, Northern Wheatear, Redwing, Brambling
Content and images originally posted by Steve
