BIRDS OF ICELAND

by Tim Bray

In the "Land of Ice and Fire," the dramatic scenery grabs your attention at every turn - but if you can take your eyes off the mountains, glaciers, and volcanoes, you will see birds everywhere you look. Its subarctic location in the middle of the north Atlantic makes it a destination for millions of summer-breeding birds, nearly all in the narrow strip of habitable land around the coastline. Even non-birders are impressed by the famous breeding colonies of Puffins, and people are regularly attacked by Arctic Terns nesting near tourist attractions. Although it does not boast of any endemic species, the beauty and ubiquity of the breeding birds in Iceland draw many birders, and it is truly a paradise for photographers.

This program will feature photos of many birds seen on our two trips to Iceland. 

Tim Bray started birdwatching as a teenager, but only got serious about it after moving to the Mendocino coast. Inspired and challenged by the expertise of people like Art Morley, Toby Tobkin, and David Jensen, he has been playing catch-up for 25 years. He joined the Board of Directors of MCAS in 2012 and has been its President since 2019.  He also co-hosts two radio programs on KZYX: Oak & Thorn, a program featuring the traditional and contemporary music of Ireland and Scotland; and The Ecology Hour, a program featuring interviews with scientists exploring the natural world.

Monday, October 19 at 6:00 PM

This meeting will be held in person at the Noyo Field Station and via Zoom.