Kirkjubøur

Tips for Birding

You may sit in the car at the parking lot, looking out on the harbor and bay. Most interesting views might be at low tide. Often long-distance views, telescope might be preferable. The best observation places are: (i) At the seaside of the white church, overlooking the southern bay.  (ii) Walking 200 m southwards on the tractor trail gives a very good overview over the southern bay and the sea.

During migration periods, especially in the fall, rarer migrating small birds may show up in the gardens or even on the shore (Siberian Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Yellow-browed Warbler, Goldcrest).

Birds of Interest

All year: Common Eider (Faroese subspecies), Wren (Faroese subspecies), Black Guillemot (Faroese subspecies), Northern Fulmar (less in Sept-Oct). Often Common Loon/Diver on distance. Common Starling (Faroese subspecies), very often seen on the shore, behaving nearly like a wader.
Summer: Arctic Tern, Whimbrel.
Winter: Eurasian Curlew.

About this Location

About 10 km from Tórshavn. Last 2 km on narrow road, often only space for a single car. Old settlement, but most houses are quite new. Contains the most important historical site in the nation: the ruins of the Magnus Cathedral, usually called Saint Olav's Church (Olavskirkjan), from around 1300.  The present day church is a white small building, literally on the shore, just beside the ruins. The church is actively used, so please respect services and other events there.

Also just beside the ruins is the main farm. A part of the main house contains the oldest inhabited wooden house on the Faroes, and possibly also in the world, from around 1100. Of course, the house has been maintained, extended and modernized, but the oldest parts have been kept much in the according to the original. Even if some of the house look like museum houses, they are private homes. Respect privacy!

Parking by the harbor and (white) church. Restroom at the bus stop by the white church (parking lot). Buses are free, but the frequency is low in the weekends.

Wheelchair can be used on paved roads and walkways. Be aware of sheep droppings.

Stick to the roads and the walkways. Respect fences and gates! Please do not enter the grasslands or the gardens, even if there are no fences. The only gates you should enter are the two gates in the (stone) fence surrounding the white church.

If you walk southwards along the very steep mountain side, please stick to the road/path. Stones may fall down on the road from the mountain. It is steep and slippy outside the road, you may even tumble into the sea. Do not scare the sheep along the road. Walk slowly when you approach the sheep, so they have the time to move away. The sheep will leave their mark everywhere, so do not wear nice shoes!

Wheelchairs may be used on paved roads. Tractor road southwards probably not suitable for ordinary wheelchairs.

Features

  • Restrooms on site

  • Roadside viewing

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Entrance fee

Last updated December 25, 2023

Map. P, parking lot.