LONDON, June 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
-Follow the tracks of arctic foxes, puffins and sheep this summer-
With newborn lambs taking their first clumsy steps, baby puffins nesting in rugged coastal cliffs and small arctic foxes merging inconspicuously with the stunning landscape - Iceland is the perfect destination for wildlife watching with a difference this summer.
Although the variety of fauna may be small compared to other countries, visitors to Iceland can admire some incredibly special species that have evolved over time to adapt to the harsh natural habitat of the country. For example, the arctic fox changes its fur according to the season, its coat can currently be seen transitioning from white to brown. The Arctic Fox Research Center in Súðavík is a great place to learn more about the only native terrestrial mammal in Iceland and now is the perfect time to visit, since arctic foxes usually give birth to between three and nine pups in the early summer
June and July also mark the "high season" for the birthing of baby lambs. Bjarteyjarsandur farm in the west of Iceland will see the birth of more than one thousand newborn lambs each year, as well as Icelandic horses and reindeer, and visitors to the area can go to the farm and witness the natural delight that is a baby lamb making its first steps into the world. Children also have the opportunity to hold the lambs, while learning about how Icelandic sheep have specially adapted to the Icelandic climate. Tickets to the Bjarteyjarsandur farm can be booked via http://www.bjarteyjarsandur.is and cost appoximately £13 per person.
Iceland is also the home to more than 350 different species of bird, most of which migrate there during the summer season. The most common species is the puffin, which is well-known for its colourful beak and relationship habits - puffins tend to form long-term bonds and after the female has laid a single egg, both parents incubate the egg and go on to feed the puffling once the egg has hatched. In May and June, access to the breeding areas is restricted, but visitors can witness both parents and chicks nesting in the Icelandic cliffside by boat.
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland is whale-watching, which is available throughout the year. Visitors will have the opportunity to see seals and small species of whale - such as dwarf or pilot whales - and with a little luck they might even spot humpback and blue whales, as well as orcas and dolphins. Icelandic tour operator Special Tours offers a number of whale-watching boat trips from Reykjavík. Tours start from £38 for adults and £21 for children up to 15 years, while children under the age of six go for free and can be booked via http://www.specialtours.is.
For more information, please contact Jenny Groutage or Verity Ramsay at The Brighter Group on +44(0)207-326-9880 or email jenny.groutage@brightergroup.com / verity.ramsay@brightergroup.com
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