Activities
Bird watching
Many good places for bird watching are within Akureyri and its surroundings. Four bird watching houses are available for birdwatchers in the area, three within the town itself and one in the island Hrísey which also belongs to Akureyri. These houses are placed in the following areas, Naustaborgir, Krossanesborgir, at the estuary of river Eyjafjarðará and in the island Hrísey. In the houses are good conditions for birdwatchers and an overview with pictures of the most common birds found in the area.
The Natural Park Krossanesborgir:
According to a thorough bird count made 2003 at least 27 species breed here. Among species found here are: Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea), Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus), Herring Gull (Larus argentatus), Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) and Mew Gull (Larus canus), Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa), various ducks and Gees such as Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) and Greylag Goose (Anser anser) as well as many other species of birds.
Rock formations “Naustaborgir”
The rock formations are in a recreational area just north of the camping site Hamrar.
Markings since the Ice time can be found on the rocks as well a small ponds and rich vegetation. Paths lead to the area from Hamrar. A birdwatching house is in the area.
Estuary of the river Eyjafjarðará
It is estimated that about 33 different species of birds nest in the estuary of the river Eyjafjarðará or about 40% of all the species that nest in Iceland. The most common birds in the area are Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) and Common Eider duck (somateria mollissima), other common birds are Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea), Greylag Goose (Anser anser), Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago), Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), Eurasian Wigeon (Anas Penelope) ect. Four species in the area are on the Icelandic Institute of Natural history red list i.e. Greylag Goose (Anser anser), Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata), Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) and Mew Gull (Larus canus).
