Arctic Tern Nesting areas on Snæfellsnes
Arctic Tern Nesting areas on Snæfellsnes
Arnarstapi and Rif on Snaefellsnes are key nesting areas for Arctic terns. Known as kría in Icelandic, because of its call, this dainty seabird has one of the longest migrations of any bird, experiencing two summers a year by flying between the South Atlantic and the Arctic, an annual round trip of around 36,000km!
They plunge dive for their food, which requires skill and persistence. Arctic terns are often harassed by predatory skuas until they drop their catch.
Take care at nesting time as the birds can be very protective of their nest sites and chicks - they will let you know when you are too close by dive-bombing.
Stay on marked paths and slow down when you drive by their nesting grounds as the flightless chicks may stray onto the roads.