Wetlands and other inland areas

Of 121 important bird areas in Iceland, 31 of these are inland areas. Most of these areas are characterised by the presence of fens, lakes, and rivers teeming with life. Nearly all these areas are important as breeding sites. Various waterbird species also visit these sites in spring and autumn, and some birds moult at these sites. Several spring areas are also important wintering sites, mainly for the Barrow’s goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) and the common merganser (Mergus merganser).

This category also includes areas characterised by expansive barren wilderness and sandy flats, such as Vatnajökull National Park, where breeding sites of the pink-footed goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) and the gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) are located, and Breiðamerkursandur and Skeiðarársandur, where large numbers of great skuas (Catharacta skua) breed.

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