Many species migrating through the UK breed and feed elsewhere, so it’s vital to conserve habitat overseas – and we’re collaborating on efforts to do just that in Iceland.
Iceland’s lowland wetlands are of International importance for birds using the East Atlantic Flyway – the migration route from the Arctic to South Africa – particularly waders and waterfowl, many of whom also depend on sites in the UK. The vast majority of Redshanks seen on our coasts and estuaries in autumn and winter breed in Iceland, for example.
But it’s estimated that over 70% of Iceland’s wetlands have been impacted by drainage for agriculture and for non-native tree planting.
Here are some other international wetlands that we’re helping to restore.
The RSPB is supporting Fuglavernd/BirdLife Iceland, who will be restoring wetlands later this year with key national and regional organisations. This will involve rewetting degraded habitat in south-west Iceland with funding from the Ecological Restoration Fund.
Fuglavernd and the RSPB are also working in an Important Bird Area in coastal west Iceland to reopen rivers, reconnect lakes and re-naturalise habitats.
Success in these projects will enable the Icelandic Government to better implement their land-use policies and enable us to scale up wetland restoration work across the Arctic region, working alongside Fuglavernd to explore opportunities with other Nordic countries.
Listen to Hólmfríður Arnardótti from Fuglavernd talk about the species and work in Iceland.
