I wouldn’t direct the normal tourist here. It doesn’t have the in your face factor of beauty that are apparent of most places in Iceland. Floi Bird Reserve is for birders who are looking for some solitude and have a bit of extra time in the Southern Region.
The preserve is in a very quiet area with little signage, though there is a GoogleMaps location that will lead you there along an unpaved road, manageable in any vehicle. If you lose service you can use the coordinates: 63°54’00.84” N 21°11’18.47” W.
The drive is lovely, through a rural village filled with sheep and on a sunny day mountainous views.
When you arrive at this important bird area there is an information center and a tiny pit toilet waiting in the parking lot.
Doubling as a bird blind, the information center has an interior to keep you warm in inclement weather,
along with a ladder for roof access – which is really quite fun to hang out on in warmer weather.
From up top there are great views that stretch out into the Ölfusá River estuary.
A trail map is available here documenting a loop no longer than two miles around the wetlands, but the path is difficult to follow in some places.
That being said, you cannot get lost because it is a flat area with the visitor center always in view, however try your best to stick to the path as to not disturb wildlife. To enter the preserve in proper and being the hike, you must climb over a small ladder.
Sometimes it is a herd path, other times there are nondescript wooden pegs, and more often than not it is entirely flooded, so don appropriate footwear.
The wetlands are characterized by many small ponds and the preserve is situated on a lava plain which was the site of the worlds largest post-Ice age lava flow, 8,700 years ago.
September isn’t the best month for birding in the country, but there are 70 known species of birds that frequent the preserve.
A family of whooper swans and their cygnets were a highlight to watch, feeding in a peaceful pond.
One meadow pipit stuck around for just enough time to snap a shot, always a flighty songbird.
Red-throated Divers are a rare bird to find in the country, but many make their home in the preserve so it is common to see them there. Many birds were too swift to photograph and even a blur to identify.
Upon reaching the river the trail more or less dissolved, many people have accounts of seals in the water here – so keep your eyes peeled.
A tranquil place for the birds and birders of Iceland to get away from it all.
Thanks so much Jen! Saw a lot of firsts for birding in Iceland, the snow bunting in Skaftafell National Park was the most exciting.
Really enjoyed the tour of the Floi Bird Reserve, Julie. As a birder, it looks heavenly to me; and you did a good job of including what bird species live here.