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close| Location | Iceland, Austur-Húnavatnssýsla |
| Central coordinates | 19o 42.00' West 65o 15.00' North |
| IBA criteria | B1i |
| Area | 7,500 ha |
| Altitude | 434 - 499m |
| Year of IBA assessment | 2000 |
Ornithological information No birdwatcher or ornithologist is known to have visited Lake Eyjavatn by land, and very little recent information is thus available, but the site is believed to support important numbers of moulting Cygnus cygnus at least. Numerous duck species (Anatidae) breed in large numbers and at high density, but have only been surveyed from the air and no detailed information is available.
Site description Lakes and associated extensive freshwater marshes dominated by sedges (Carex, Eriophorum), covering Fridmundarvötn, Eyjavatn og Mjóavatn and neighbouring areas south to áfangafell mountain. There are eroded, flat gravel areas. Ownership of the highlands is not resolved, but farmers have grazing and fishing rights.
Populations of IBA trigger species
| Species | Season | Period | Population estimate | Quality of estimate | IBA Criteria | IUCN Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus | non-breeding | 1988 | 260 individuals | - | B1i | Least Concern |
Habitats
| IUCN habitat | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands (inland) | Fens, transition mires and springs; Rivers and streams; Standing freshwater; Water fringe vegetation | 80% |
| Coastline | 20% |
Land use
| Land-use | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|
| agriculture | - |
Management considerations Predation by the introduced American mink Mustela vison poses a threat. Austara-Fridmundarvatn is now a part of the water supply for Blanda hydroelectric power-station, with water from the glacial Blanda river running through. 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: Eyjavatn-Fridmundarvötn. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 20/06/2013
To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife
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