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Garður

Suðurnes  >  Iceland

Garður is one of the most exiting places to go birding in SW Iceland, and is a fruitful birding place year-round.

Added* by Dennis Bohmer
Most recent update 18 marca 2026

Description

At Garður, the northern point of the Reykjanes peninsula, the birder can enjoy everything from seawatching from the Lighthouse (Garðskagi) and beach birding in the west, to gull identification and scanning ponds (Gerðasíki) in the east. Migration means tons of birds on Garður – the shoreline will fill up with waders such as spremenljivi prodnik, komatni deževnik, peščenec, and kamenjar; the fields will host zlata prosenka and travniška cipa ; on the sea will be strmoglavec and vranjek , and chances are high that a vagrant is somewhere to be found amongst the regulars. The Garður Lighthouse (Garðskagi) was one of the first lighthouses built in Iceland, dating back to 1897. Find shelter from the wind, and try seawatching from spring to autumn, which can produce flocks of atlantski viharnik and črni viharnik . Also strmoglavec, ledni viharnik, occasional strakoš, skuas and other seabirds.

Details

Access

The tactic is determined by the time of year and weather conditions. During winter, check the sea for ducks from the Lighthouse. During spring, if the tide is high, scan through the waders running along the shorelines or on the ponds. In summer, scan the horizon for shearwaters from the seafront, and in autumn, combine all of the above Parking is nearby for all good birding places in Garður. Please park in designated parking spots when visiting. Click on a P in the map for directions.

Terrain and Habitat

Sea , Grassland , Beach , Dunes , Agriculture , Pond , Moors/heathland

Conditions

High water possible , Open landscape , Sandy

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Autumn migration , Spring migration

Route

Paved road , Unpaved road , Wide path , Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Car , Bicycle , Wheelchair

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

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