Essex County Ornithological Club (ECOC)
Location: Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA

Date: Friday November 14, 2025

Time: 7:00 PM

Iceland Land of Midnight Sun – Grimsey & Flatey Island

Iceland abounds in natural splendor: Waterfalls and glaciers, panoramic views, and otherworldly landscapes. It is a land of Northern Lights and midnight sun. And it is the realm of one of the world’s most charming and iconic bird: the Atlantic Puffin.

But Iceland is home to much more. During the summer months, Iceland’s round-the-clock sunlight draws in a panoply of birds: Razorbills and guillemots, phalaropes and godwits, plovers and terns, all accompany the puffins in nesting frenzy. Come along with wildlife photographer and Mass Audubon instructor Shawn Carey as he shares images, and stories from his journey spent on two Icelandic islands. We will visit Grimsey Island, the northern most inhabited island off the mainland of Iceland. For bird photographers and bird watchers looking for a great place to view and photograph nesting seabirds that call this island home during the summer this is a place you want to visit.

From Grimsey we will travel to the island of Flatey, a real hidden gem for bird photographers and bird watchers alike. Most people pass through Flatey (via ferry service out of Stykkisholmur) on their way to the well-known Latrabjarg bird cliffs to see Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills. However, for those that have or take the time to explore Flatey you will find a small island that offers some very good photographic opportunities, especially for Black Guillemot, Red-necked Phalarope and Common Redshank just to name a few.

If you are planning a birding or bird photography trip to Iceland, I would add Grimsey and Flatey island to your travel itinerary. Both are enjoyable places to spend several days.