The status of breeding birds and other visitors in Surtsey since 2008

This paper aims to provide an overview on the status of breeding birds and visitors on Surtsey since 2008 and is a continuation from Petersen’s overview from 2009 of the status after the formation of the island. Specific ornithological expeditions to Surtsey have not taken place since 2003, besides a visit in Surtsey in May 2025. Annual research expeditions have been undertaken in mid-July in 2009–2025. Although the timing is not optimal for bird observations, various information regarding birds has been collected during those visits, including general observations on the presence - absence of known breeding species and regular visitors as well as anecdotes of new species for the island. Gull and fulmar nests have been counted annually on monitoring plots since 2003. Evening counts of gulls present in the colony were performed annually during July visits between 2011 and 2016, in 2023 and in May 2025. One aerial survey was conducted in June 2023 and the gull colony photographed. In May 2025 a breeding bird survey on ground nesting land birds was carried out. By 2025, a total of 95 bird species has been recorded for Surtsey, on the island itself and close by offshore. Out of those, 59 are regular breeders in Iceland, 24 are vagrants and the rest are migrants and winter visitors. Only four species have been recorded for the first time on Surtsey since 2008, of which three are vagrants and one an Icelandic breeder. During the same time, three new breeding species have been recorded, and all of them have been irregular breeders since.