Lake Mývatn is a paradise for birdwatchers. Everywhere you stop there are birds around you, particularly on the lake itself. When at lake Mývatn, always be on the lookout for Gyr Falcons as they are often found hunting near the lake. One good stop is at hotel Reykjahlíð. Stop at the parking area near the hotel and search the lake from there or walk a bit closer to the lake for better views…

Leaving Mývatn over the highlands at Mývatnsheiði on road 1 you soon reach a relatively large lake, Másvatn, close to the road which almost always hosts a pair of Great Northern Divers. A short stop at a small roadside lake near the farm Narfastaðir might also produce some good birds. Another interesting stop might be to view the small pond and wetlands just north of the farm Hólar near Laugar…

When approaching Húsavík, stop at the rest area just east of the bridge over the river Laxá. The wide stretch of river beneath the bridge, called Mýrarvatn, generally hosts a nesting pair of Great Northern Divers, several Common Scoters and many Common Eiders. A dirt road towards the sea along the east side of Laxá river gives good views of one of the largest Common Eider colonies in Iceland and of the other birds found in the area…

From Húsavík, the trail continues along road 85 north to Tjörnes peninsula. The first stop could be at the shore of Bakkakrókur just north of Húsavík. Take the first left turn towards the sea after road 85 has almost reached the bottom of the first hill away from Húsavík and before it comes to a long stretch of flat land. Bakkakrókur is often teeming with waders like Purple Sandpiper, Dunlin, Red Knot and Ruddy Turnstone, particularly in spring (May through early June) and autumn…

Once you cross the old bridge over the glacial river Jökulsá, you are in the Öxarfjörður district. The first good stop is at the tree-plantation at Akurgerði, clearly marked by flags and a parking lot on the right side of the road. A walk along the trails through the wood is likely to yield Winter Wren, Common Redpoll and Redwing. This area is also particularly good for Short-eared Owl and Eurasian Woodcock in the evenings…

The first stop at Þistilfjörður might be at Rauðanes. Drive the road down towards the parking lot and walk from there for 30 minutes on marked trail to the tip of the peninsula were you would get in good views of Puffins in beautiful surroundings. When you drive into the farming area of Þistilfjörður you will soon see a small lake at the farm Sævarland. It is generally worthwhile putting up your telescope to see if there is anything of interest on the lake or its surroundings…

Vopnafjordur is a true paradise for the birdwatcher. The bird fauna includes a great mixture of seabirds, waterfowl, waders, passerines and raptors.