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IS021
Sog
Location Iceland, Árnessýsla
Central coordinates 21o 0.00' West  64o 10.00' North
IBA criteria B1i, B2
Area 500 ha
Altitude 15 - 100m
Year of IBA assessment 2000

Fuglavernd - BirdLife Iceland (Partner Designate)



Ornithological information One of the few wintering sites for Bucephala islandica in Iceland away from Mývatn-Laxá (site 044). Also overwintering, in notable numbers, are Bucephala clangula (one of the few wintering sites in Iceland) and Mergus serrator.

Site description A major freshwater river that drains Lake Thingvallavatn. Land-uses also include angling (salmon fishing), hydroelectric generation and holiday-homes. The area belongs to three communities: Grafningshreppur, ölfushreppur and Grímsneshreppur.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus passage  -  200 individuals  -  B1i  Least Concern 
Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica winter  -  100-150 individuals  medium  B2  Least Concern 
Common Merganser Mergus merganser winter  1993  36 individuals  -  B1i  Least Concern 

Habitats

IUCN habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Wetlands (inland) Rivers and streams; Standing freshwater  100%

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
agriculture -

Management considerations Hydroelectric power-stations have changed the river ecosystem. The area is on the list of sites of conservation interest in the Nature Conservation Register.

Protection status National None International None

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Sog. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 24/05/2013

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife