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27. May 2008

Wildlife in Skjálfandi Bay

Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) are rarely spotted in Icelandic waters. Being anyway small and swift, they have generally stayed away from the boats and have rarely been seen during the whale watching trips. Consequently, the sight of breaching harbour porpoises is even more unusual. In the past weeks, the porpoises of Skjálfandi Bay were spotted atypically often, affiliated in groups and occasionally breaching. Staff members of the whale museum were able to capture the unusual sight of the smallest living cetacean, which suddenly appears to be more "co-operative" in presenting itself. Further whale species that have been spotted in the bay during the first trips of the year were several humpback and minke whales.  

Apart from cetacean species, an abundance of rather uncommon seabird species has been observed during the trips. Sightings of black guillemots (Cepphus grylle), long-tailed ducks (Clangula hyemalis) and storm petrels (Hydrobatidae) are rare in this area and the abundance of gannets (Morus bassanus) seems to exceed the usual amount. Gannets are the biggest seabirds in the North Atlantic with a wing span of up to 2m. Here in Iceland this graceful and attractive bird is often called the "Queen of the Atlantic".

Other species seen are the annual visitors such as puffins (Fratercula artica), common guillemots (Uria aalge), kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla), fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis), eider ducks (Somateria mollissima) and artic terns (Sterna paradisaea), accompanied by artic skua (Stercorarius parasiticus) and great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo).

With all those species mingling in the bay we certainly look forward to a great season 2008!


News

26. February 2011

Entrance Fees for 2011

Entrance Fees 2011:

Adults: 1.250 ISK

Children (6-14 years): 500 ISK

Senior Citizens (from 65 years): 900 ISK

Groups (+10): Adults: 900 ISK, children: 400 ISK

22. December 2010

2010 - A Year of Renovation at the Whale Museum

In the spring the entrance was moved to a restored area in the eastern part of the museum which now hosts the tourist information centre for Húsavík, together with the museum´s store.

24. May 2010

Humpback whale from Skjálfandi Bay photographed off Africa

It is still quite early in the season but the museum’s researchers have already been out on the whale watching boats several times to collect data and take pictures of whales that have been sighted during the trips.


OPENING HOURS

June, July and August
09:00 - 19:00

May and September
10:00 - 17:00

Other times by arrangement



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