A protected national conservation area, Lake Myvatn is a major wildlife breeding ground supporting the world's largest population of breeding ducks. Fifteen species of duck have been recorded on the lake, and up to 100,000 birds can be gathered here at once. Almost the entire European population of Barrow's Goldeneye birds breed here. South of the conservation area, the bridge over the Laxa River is known to be Iceland's premier location for birding. After a day of exploring the Lake area, return by air to Reykjavik for dinner and overnight.
Bird life is so prolific here thanks to the profusion of plankton, fish and other sea life.
Forty-nine species of birds breed regularly in the Faroes puffins being the most numerous and nearly 30 more species do so occasionally. Other species commonly seen near the coastlines include guillemots, fulmars, Great Skuas, Razorbills, gannets, cormorants and kittiwakes. Colonies of Eider Ducks, Golden Plovers, snipe, Rock Doves and the avian symbol of the Faroes, the oystercatcher or Tjaldur, make their homes inland. All endangered birds are protected by law, including the Gyrfalcon, highly prized as a hunting bird. A more commonly seen bird of prey in the islands is the Icelandic Merlin, a smaller, unique falcon subspecies.