Earthquakes in Tjörnes Fracture Zone

Since yesterday has been some earthquake activity a few km from the island Grímsey north of Iceland. The size of the quakes has been upp to 2.

http://en.vedur.is/earthquakes-and-volcanism/earthquakes/tjornes-small/
Grímsey is in the Tjörnes Fracture Zone that connects the northern volcanic zone of Iceland to the Kolbeinsey Ridge which is a part of the Atlantic Ridge.

Plate tectonics Transform Faults vs. Fracture Zones

Sightings From Belfast Harbour Lagoon in Northern Ireland

We got this sightings last Thursday from Stephen Maxwell through the school Scoil Iosaef Naofa website http://www.scoiliosaefnaofa.com/Godwit.htm,
Stephen sent photos.

 The first is  - LW-RRflag which means lime ring above white ring on left tibia and red ring above red flag on right tibia. Photo Stephen Maxwell .

The second is YY-RX or yellow ring above a yellow ring on left tibia and red and white ring on right tibia. The white ring has X marked on it. Photo Stephen Maxwell

They were both seen and photographed on the 8th February at about 1.00pm at
RSPB Belfast Harbour Lagoon Reserve (54 degrees 37.49 minutes North / 5
degrees 52.30 minutes West) in a feeding flock of about 100 birds on wet
grassland.

This is a good example of sightings with informations about date, time, behaviour, habitat, location and flock size.

LW-RRflag was ringed as a pullus in NW Iceland.
(topline is ringing informations)

LW-RRflag 04.07.09 Sandar, Þingeyri, Dyrafjordur, NW Iceland
LW-RRflag 25.09.10 Kilcoole, County Wicklow, E Ireland
LW-RRflag 25.09.10 Kilcoole Marsh, County Wicklow, E Ireland
LW-RRflag 11.03.11 Dundalk Bay, Co. Louth, E Ireland
LW-RRflag 01.06.11 Hjarðardalur, Önundarfjörður, Ísafjarðarsýsla, NW Iceland
LW-RRflag 04.11.11 Bull Island, Co. Dublin, E Ireland
LW-RRflag 08.02.12 RSPB harbour lagoon reserve in Belfast, N Ireland


YY-RX was ringed as an adult on a spring passage in E Iceland.
(topline is ringing informations)

YY-RX 03.05.03 Álftafjörður, E Iceland
YY-RX 05.05.03 Álftafjörður, E Iceland
YY-RX 24.12.03 Belfast Lough, Co. Antrim, N Ireland
YY-RX 18.01.04 Belfast Lough, Co. Antrim, N Ireland
YY-RX 23.04.04 Belfast Lough, Co. Antrim, N Ireland
YY-RX 29.04.04 Karmøy, Rogaland, SW Norway
YY-RX 09.06.04 Vestmanna, Faroes
YY-RX 18.06.04 Dee Estuary, Cheshire, NW England
YY-RX 18.07.05 Chichester Harbour, Sussex, S England
YY-RX 07.08.05 Chichester Harbour, Sussex, S England
YY-RX 08.08.05 Chichester Harbour, Sussex, S England
YY-RX 14.04.06 RSPB harbour lagoon reserve in Belfast, N Ireland
YY-RX 24.02.07 Belfast harbour, Belfast, N Ireland
YY-RX 26.02.07 Belfast harbour, Belfast, N Ireland
YY-RX 17.09.07 Vale Frades, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Portugal
YY-RX 30.09.07 Réserve Naturelle du Marais d,Yves, Charente-Maritime, W France
YY-RX 12.03.09 RSPB Belfast Harbour Reserve, Antrim, N Ireland
YY-RX 16.04.09 Belfast harbour, Belfast, N Ireland
YY-RX 06.08.09 New ferry, Mersey estuary, Lancashire, NW England
YY-RX 08.12.09 Suttons Marsh, Marshside RSPB, Lancashire, NW England
YY-RX 09.12.11 Marshside RSPB reserve,Merseyside,NW England
YY-RX 08.02.12 RSPB harbour lagoon reserve in Belfast, N Ireland

The First Migratory Birds 2012 Have Arrived

Today were 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls(Larus fuscus graellsii) sighted by Sveinn Jónsson at Seltjarnarnes close to Reykjavík. They are the first migrants this year in Iceland.  This is one day earlier than has been recorded for Lesser Black-backed Gull since 1998.https://notendur.hi.is/yannk/migrants.htm
As Yann comments on this post one adult was sighted earlier at Markarfljótsaurar in South Iceland on 6th February by Sigurjón Einarsson!

Photo Gunnar Þór Hallgrímsson https://notendur.hi.is/gunnih/index.html
Y210 colour ringed as a pullus in Gálgahraun in Garðabær in Iceland 1998  by  Hallgrímur Gunnarsson.
Y210 has been sighted in winter at  Matosinhos, Douro Litoral, Portugal and it has been sighted several times in sommer at the lake Tjörnin in Reykjavík where the photo was taken 2008.

Earthquakes on Reykjanesridge

This morning has been earthquake activity on the Reykjanesridge SW of Iceland. The size of the earthquakes are up to 3.
Earthquakes are common on this location.

http://www.vedur.is/skjalftar-og-eldgos/jardskjalftar/reykjaneshryggur/

When Will The Migratory Birds Arrive?

The arrivals of the migratory birds  are strong signs of the spring. In most peoples mind in Iceland is  the arrival of the Golden Plover and the Arctic Tern related to the spring but many species arrive earlier. One of the earliest or the earliest is the Lesser Black Backed Gull.

Yann Kolbeinsson has documented the arrivals of the migrants since 1998 mostly through a email list of people interested in birds in Iceland.

We can expect the first ones in a few days from now.This list from Yann's homepage show the mean arrivals in the period 1998-2011.

https://notendur.hi.is/yannk/migrants.htm

Mean arrival date    '98-'11	Species
27. February	Lesser Black-backed Gull / Sílamáfur Larus fuscus graellsii
6. March	Whooper Swan / Álft Cygnus cygnus
8. March	Eurasian Oystercatcher / Tjaldur Haematopus ostralegus
8. March	Great Skua / Skúmur Stercorarius skua
15. March	Greylag Goose / Grágæs Anser anser
16. March	Black-headed Gull / Hettumáfur Larus ridibundus
17. March	Eurasian Wigeon / Rauðhöfðaönd Anas penelope
21. March	Redwing / Skógarþröstur Turdus iliacus coburni
22. March	Red-throated Diver / Lómur Gavia stellata
23. March	Mew Gull / Stormmáfur Larus canus
24. March	Eurasian Teal / Urtönd Anas crecca
24. March	European Golden Plover / Heiðlóa Pluvialis apricaria
24. March	Common Redshank / Stelkur Tringa totanus
25. March	Tufted Duck / Skúfönd Aythya fuligula
26. March	Northern Pintail / Grafönd Anas acuta
27. March	Brünnich's Guillemot / Stuttnefja Uria lomvia
28. March	Common Shelduck / Brandönd Tadorna tadorna
31. March	Brent Goose / Margæs Branta bernicla hrota
2. April	Pink-footed Goose / Heiðagæs Anser brachyrhynchus
2. April	White-fronted Goose/ Blesgæs Anser albifrons flavirostris
2. April	Greater Scaup / Duggönd Aythya marila
2. April	Common Snipe / Hrossagaukur Gallinago gallinago faeroeensis
3. April	Atlantic Puffin / Lundi Fratercula arctica
4. April	Horned Grebe / Flórgoði Podiceps auritus
5. April	Gadwall / Gargönd Anas strepera
5. April	White Wagtail / Maríuerla Motacilla alba alba
6. April	Common Ringed Plover / Sandlóa Charadrius hiaticula
6. April	Red Knot / Rauðbrystingur Calidris canutus
6. April	Meadow Pipit / Þúfutittlingur Anthus pratensis
7. April	Black-tailed Godwit / Jaðrakan Limosa limosa islandica
8. April	Common Scoter / Hrafnsönd Melanitta nigra
8. April	Ruddy Turnstone / Tildra Arenaria interpres
10. April	Arctic Skua / Kjói Stercorarius parasiticus
11. April	Barnacle Goose / Helsingi Branta leucopsis
11. April	Short-eared Owl / Brandugla Asio flammeus
13. April	Dunlin / Lóuþræll Calidris alpina
14. April	Northern Shoveler / Skeiðönd Anas clypeata
18. April	Manx Shearwater / Skrofa Puffinus puffinus
18. April	Whimbrel / Spói Numenius phaeopus
18. April	Northern Wheatear / Steindepill Oenanthe oenanthe
22. April	Arctic Tern / Kría Sterna paradisaea
23. April	Sanderling / Sanderla Calidris alba
7. May	Red-necked Phalarope / Óðinshani Phalaropus lobatus
13. May	Leach's Storm-petrel / Sjósvala Oceanodroma leucorhoa
25. May	Red Phalarope / Þórshani Phalaropus fulicarius
?	European Storm-petrel / Stormsvala Hydrobates pelagicus

A interesting and enjoyable time is ahead :)  

Earthquakes in Mount Hengill

Tonight has been earthquake activity in Mount Hengill about 25 km away from my hometown Selfoss.

About 40 earthquakes up to size 2,5 have occured. Mount Hengill is a volcano.
The origin of the earthquakes is that water is pumped down in drill holes. The water has been used for electricity production.
Previous earthquakes activity last year made people living in the town Hveragerði worried and they demanted that the pumping would be stopped.

 http://en.vedur.is/earthquakes-and-volcanism/earthquakes/

Common Ringed Plover - Charadrius hiaticula

Since 2004 has a colour-ringing study on the population biology of ringed plovers Charadrius hiaticula been initiated in South and North West Iceland.
The Icelandic population has been estimated as ca. 1/3 of the world population.
The study aims at first to identify key factors regulating reproductive output and distribution. Of preliminary results, the study has shown conflicts with recreational activity on beaches in S-Iceland and breeding densities up to 90 pairs/100ha in NW-Iceland.

The non-breeding distribution of the Icelandic population is poorly known and we hope that this colour-ringing initiative can shed some light on the migration routes and wintering grounds of the Icelandic breeding birds.
So far, almost a 1000 plovers have been ringed. We hope that our fellow
waderologists and others will keep their eyes open and spread the word. Any
sightings will be most appreciated and full feedback will be swiftly provided.

Combination of three rings (one ring on either tibia and one ring on each tarsus).
Combination of 1 c-ring (on each tarsus) and  1 c-ring on either tibia and a metal ring on opposite tibia.
Combination of 1 c-ring on each tarsus and 1 c-ring on each tibia.

Tómas Grétar Gunnarsson tomas@hi.is
Böðvar Þórisson bodvar@nave.is
Vigfús Eyjólfsson vigfusey@gmail.com

The "Blue" Lagoon

Operation Godwit

                                           A short film by Jim Wilson

Glacial Outburst Flood in Gígjukvísl River

Since yesterday has been a little glacial outburst flood in Gígjukvísl River.
The source of the flood is probably lake Grímsvötn which is in the glacier Vatnajökull
in South East Iceland.

First Sighting Of a Godwit in The Netherlands 2012

A colour ringed godwit's pullus.

I answered today the first email with a sighting this year from The Netherlands of a godwit ringed in Iceland.
It's live history.
GN-WRflag was ringed as a pullus in N Iceland.
(topline is ringing informations)
14.07.08 Saurbaer, Fljot, N Iceland
01.01.09 Waddenhaven, nearby Den Oever, Noord Holland, W Netherl.
02.01.09 Waddenhaven, nearby Den Oever, Noord Holland, W Netherl.
03.01.09 de Bak, Den Oever, Noord Holland, W Netherlands
07.02.09 Waddensee, Den Oever, Noord Holland, W Netherlands
14.02.09 Hippolytushoef, Normerven, Waddenseacoast, Noord Holland, W Neth
08.03.09 Skrins, Easterlittens, Friesland, N Netherlands
08.03.09 Skrins, Easterlittens, Friesland, N Netherlands
09.03.09 Skrok, Friesland, N Netherlands
12.03.09 Skrins, Easterlittens, Friesland, N Netherlands
25.09.09 Leyensloot,  Buren, Ameland, Friesland, Netherl.
04.08.10 Thorpe Bay, River Orwell, Suffolk, E England
06.08.10 Thorpe Bay, River Orwell, Suffolk, E England
07.08.10 Levington Marina, River Orwell, Suffolk, England
08.08.10 Trimley St Martin, Felixstowe, Suffolk, England
25.10.10 The Hythe Lagoons, Colchester, Essex, E England
04.01.11 Oare Marshes, Kent, SE England
04.01.11 East Flood, Oare Marshes, Kent, SE England
11.03.11 Oudega - Plasdras, Friesland, Netherlands
21.03.11 Hisse-Pykemar near Abbega , Súdwest Fryslân, Friesland,N Netherlands
25.11.11 East Flood, Oare Marshes, Kent, SE England
29.12.11 East Flood, Oare Marshes, Kent, SE England
27.01.12 Hisse-Pykemar near Abbega , Súdwest Fryslân, Friesland,N Netherlands

Winter Bird Count in Iceland

The annually winter bird counting in Iceland was 7. January. This counting has been done annually since 1952. The number of volunteers has grown through the years and is now more than  100. Each of them have their areas where they count bird usually year after year up to half a century. I have only counted since 2006. My area is west of the town Þorlákshöfn on the shore of south Iceland. It is unusual as a counting area  a rocky shore line where the ocean waves erase slowly pahoehoe lava. The highest cliffs are tens of meters high and have really big rounder boulders below. I walk about 6 km on the edge of the cliffs where the  waves breaks pieces of rock  of the lava. Most of the pieces falls in the ocean but some of the ends in a long pile of rounded boulders about 10 meters or so from the cliffs edge. Between the boulders pile and the cliff edge is the lava surface completely without vegetations. It is rather easy to walk on it but it can be slippery because of frozen water. In that case is better to walk on the other side of the boulder pile.

On the counting day was really rainy weather so I had to count a week later or on the Sunday 14. January. The temperature had been over zero for a few days which usually means fewer birds both species and number of individuals because the birds spread when food sources are no longer covered with snow or frozen.

The weather was quit nice for this time of year the temperature was 1°C  sometimes a little rain and  a little wind but strong waves on the ocean.

The birds live is  characterized by the ocean but also a few snow bundings, ravens and some times a few starling close to the town. They days are getting longer but it was cloudy.

I use a binocular but not a scope.

Iceland Gull 221. They are only in the winter in Iceland but do no breed there. 

Great Black-backed Gull 

14

Glaucous Gull 

14

Herring Gull

 6

Unknown gulls 7

Eider 201

Red-breasted Merganser

 3

Snow bundings 8

Raven 13

Northern Gannet

 54

Great Cormorant

 1

Great Northern Diver 

2 in the waves below the highest cliffs.

The nothern gannet leaves the shore in the autumn but comes back about this time of year so they are the first summer migrants. If it is possible to say so in the middle of the winter :)

The counting area on a Google map

Birds and Geology in Iceland

I live in Iceland and have been interested in nature since I was a child mostly birds and geology. I have B.Sc in geology and ring birds. Since 2004 I have colour ringed breeding Common Ringed Plovers on the shore of South Iceland. I also manage database for godwits colour ringed in Iceland and answer emails from people who have sighted them. The godwits have been ringed by quite many people The Team . 

A Common Ringed Plover chick which I ringed 2004.

The ringing area close to Stokkseyri on the south shore of Iceland. The lighthouse is Knarrarósviti. In  the background is the volcano Eyjafjallajökull which erupted 2010. It was a spectacular view while ringing and watching the Ringed Plovers