Greenland
Greenland is the world's largest island and is dominated by the Greenland Ice Sheet, which covers around 80% of its surface. Almost all settlements and vegetation are concentrated along the ice-free coastal margins, where fjords, mountains, valleys and tundra create strong regional contrasts. The west and southwest are comparatively mild, while northern and eastern Greenland have a much more severe High-Arctic climate. South Greenland is unusual for its relatively favourable conditions, with pockets of natural woodland and vegetation around sheltered fjords. Farther north, the landscape becomes increasingly barren, with vast areas of tundra, mountains and permanent ice. The coast is shaped by glaciers, sea ice and enormous fjord systems, particularly around the east and southeast. Greenland's enormous distances and limited infrastructure mean that many regions remain exceptionally remote, with settlements largely concentrated along the coast.
Overview
Greenland is primarily a destination for Arctic and North Atlantic birds, with specialised species and spectacular seabird colonies rather than high overall diversity. Coastal cliffs and islands support Little Auk, Thick-billed Murre, Black Guillemot and Atlantic Puffin, while Arctic Tern arrives to breed during the short summer. Tundra habitats support species such as Rock Ptarmigan, Snow Bunting and Long-tailed Skua, while coastal wetlands attract geese, ducks and shorebirds. Disko Bay and West Greenland offer some of the more accessible opportunities, while East and Northeast Greenland provide a much more remote Arctic experience. The short summer is the key birding season, when breeding colonies are active and migrants are present. Travel between regions can be challenging, with many destinations accessible only by boat, small aircraft or helicopter, so Greenland is best suited to birders comfortable with expedition-style travel.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Raven Corvus corax | 57.0% | 71.4% | 65.7% | 63.5% | 79.2% | 51.8% | 32.2% | 35.8% | 38.6% | 44.1% | 74.2% | 81.3% | 46.7% |
| Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus | 47.5% | 26.8% | 38.3% | 37.5% | 44.8% | 46.6% | 37.1% | 43.2% | 51.1% | 58.3% | 68.9% | 70.8% | 46.7% |
| Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides | 40.8% | 39.3% | 52.1% | 34.4% | 46.9% | 29.8% | 23.7% | 23.8% | 25.8% | 22.6% | 62.8% | 81.3% | 46.7% |
| Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus | 39.0% | 35.7% | 61.5% | 39.6% | 43.8% | 21.0% | 14.4% | 20.2% | 22.6% | 23.8% | 58.6% | 75.0% | 51.7% |
| Common Eider Somateria mollissima | 35.5% | 35.7% | 78.0% | 57.3% | 44.8% | 23.1% | 14.4% | 14.3% | 13.0% | 10.9% | 48.5% | 47.9% | 38.3% |
| Mallard Anas platyrhynchos | 29.0% | 19.6% | 56.7% | 28.2% | 33.3% | 21.6% | 20.1% | 10.9% | 9.6% | 10.0% | 51.0% | 39.6% | 46.7% |
| Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis | 27.4% | 32.1% | 8.4% | 9.4% | 41.7% | 53.1% | 34.5% | 38.8% | 31.3% | 29.9% | 22.0% | 18.8% | 8.4% |
| Redpoll Acanthis flammea | 24.3% | 53.6% | 20.6% | 26.1% | 16.7% | 10.3% | 14.4% | 20.5% | 13.9% | 18.1% | 37.4% | 27.1% | 33.3% |
| Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis | 21.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 12.5% | 12.5% | 22.5% | 44.8% | 39.5% | 42.2% | 38.7% | 14.2% | 2.1% | 23.3% |
| Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla | 19.3% | 0.0% | 2.8% | 8.3% | 0.0% | 18.8% | 36.4% | 31.1% | 38.6% | 38.9% | 21.6% | 16.7% | 18.3% |