Flatey Island & Látrabjarg
Today was a day to explore the western most area of Iceland, and to enjoy the abundant birdlife and the rich cultural history of the area. All day the ship was surrounded by seabirds, and beautiful weather made for a very pleasant day. Combining wildlife experiences, interesting culture, and fantastic scenery was the perfect way to spend the day.
In the morning we landed on Flatey Island, a small island with only two families as yearlong residents. The landing was surrounded by shorebirds including redshank, plovers, and Red Knots. A short stroll around the island yielded abundant eider, guillemots, and many nesting Arctic Terns. Red-necked Phalaropes were in every freshwater pool while snipe filled the sky in display flights. Just off shore, a small island was covered by nesting kittiwakes and Atlantic Puffins. These beautiful birds were of course very thrilling for everyone to see.
This island has a long history, originally settled around 900. A monastery founded in 1172 made Flatey a center of culture for all of Iceland, and this tiny island continued to flourish until the 19th century. Now, a few summer houses, the two year round families, and a small church with beautiful murals are all that is left to be surrounded by abundant birdlife.
After lunch we explored the most western point of all Iceland at the spectacular bird cliffs of Látrabjarg. Rising up to 440 metres high in places and extending for 14 kilometers, these cliffs are home to millions of birds. Some intrepid walkers climbed above the cliffs and were rewarded with spectacular views over the edge. The rest of us cruised in Zodiacs below the cliffs and were swarmed by the various birds. Murres and Razorbills were everywhere, as these cliffs account for about 40% of the world’s population of Razorbills. Blue skies and calm seas made for an unforgettable afternoon showcasing the incredible seabird spectacle of western Iceland.
