The first lóa, or golden plover in English, has arrived in Iceland after spending the winter in warmer climates. Ólöf Helga Haraldsdóttir spotted the bird walking along the shore at Eyrarbakki yesterday, reports RÚV.
Ólöf Helga Haraldsdóttir was out for a walk on the beach at Eyrarbakki when she noticed a golden plover strolling along the grassy embankment.
Compared to the past two years, the lóa has arrived earlier this year. In 2024, the first sighting was recorded on March 22. Ornithologist Jóhann Óli Hilmarsson says the bird’s early arrival may be linked to a warming climate.
Jóhann Óli adds that several other birds have also started returning to Iceland sooner; for example, the oystercatcher has already begun to appear.
“Even though it’s rather cold right now, spring will hopefully arrive eventually,” he said.
According to Jóhann, the first golden plovers are usually seen along the South Coast, and there is often a friendly competition among birdwatchers to be the first to spot one.
The lóa’s arrival is widely seen as a sign of better weather to come in Icelandic folklore — something many people are eagerly anticipating after long winters. Read more about the cultural significance of the bird here.
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