Spring is arriving!

A golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria) was sighted in the southern Westfjords mid-day last Sunday April 2, by Cristian Gallo. It was a welcome sight, for it is said in Icelandic folklore that the arrival of this wading bird marks the beginning of spring. The golden plover spends its winter in western and southern Europe, and as far south as Morocco. In the summer, approximately half of the world´s populations of golden plovers breed in Iceland, making this country´s heathlands a significantly important habitat from the species.