Summer recordings from two separate sea cliffs on the Reykjanes peninsula. First is the southeast facing Krýsuvíkurbjarg, where tens of thousands of Black Legged Kittiwakes nest during the summer months. A lighthouse stands on top of a small hill, a reminder of the dangers of the Icelandic coastline through the centuries. The distant sounds of Kittiwakes, nestled on tiny edges or gliding through the sky mixes with the North Atlantic Ocean.
Second recording is from the far western tip of the peninsula, known as Reykjanestá (toe of Reykjanes), a set of dramatic cliffs rising sharply from the ground, some still connected to land, others protruding from the often turbulent ocean moving strong Gulf Stream currents around the southwest corner of Iceland. Along with Kittiwakes and Fulmar in the sky, pods of Killer Whales (Orcas) can be seen hunting off the coast in summer time.
Summer recording from the edges of an Arctic Tern colony by Jökulsárlón (glacier lagoon). The few thousand birds reach the south coast of Iceland in May, having made the longest migratory flight of any bird species on earth, from S-Africa or Antartica to Iceland. Their small and streamlined bodies not only amaze when you become aware of their achievement, but intimidates as the parents attack anyone that comes near the colony.
It´s high pitched squeak from its red beak is followed by several warnings, including shit, dive bombing, and finally pecking the highest point of a person. The wise simply lift up their hand or a stick, while the ignorant one´s might find themselves bleeding from the encounter. The eggs of the Arctic Tern have long been eaten in Iceland, but in recent years a near collapse in the population has occurred due to a drop in their main feed, the Sand eel. The Arctic Tern can live to 30 years old.
A recording of a fly locally known as fishing fly, often found on rotting fish, though commonly at home in older homes and summer houses. It´s sound is one of those memory triggers, as it´s presence is such an integral part of Iceland in summer. Whether its reading a book in a small cabin, fishing on a lake, sitting on grass tussocks in the highlands or walking past discarded fish outside a small town fish factory, the Calliphora uralensis will have been there. This recording was made in the east of the country, on the farm Vallanes, a well known organic farm of barley, mushrooms and vegetables.
Strandir is an an area known for its rams, many of whom have been used for breeding in other parts of Iceland. The recording combines walking through the high grasses on top of the local moors to herd the sheep in september 2018, with the noise and chaos of the barn later the same day, where the logistics of sorting clashes with hundreds of upset and panicky sheep and lambs. Iceland has a total of 475.893 sheep, a staple of the Icelandic diet for centuries, though sometimes criticized due to its high government subsidies, unfair payment to farmers, and or lack of marketing (take your pick!). The day was windy and bright, with a cold fresh breeze from the Arctic ocean in the north.