On the Eastern Front, 2010 (1 Viewer)

[Jos Stratford]

Woodcock freezing in front of the car lights is one of the best sights in birding I think.

Makes a change from the previous six months, when I was freezing everywhere!


And the next days, more mammals, more birds arriving...


Swallows on the pools, more Garganey, a few Smew, spring continued apace.

1.30 a.m. on the 10th, a rare nocturnal saunter across my land, a Red Fox prances across the meadow, a Raccoon Dog retreats from the pools, presumably a drink well-deserved. In the water however, two bright beady eyes peered from the reeds, something lurking in the shallows. A Beaver seemed unlikely, it would have dived and disappeared, so closer I wandered to take a look. In jumped my dog for a paddle, totally unaware of the eyes. Round and round the dog swam, two metres from the eyes on occasion. I puzzled over the owner of the eyes, the eyes puzzled over the dog no doubt. Then an almighty shriek in the darkness, the critter had had enough of sharing the water. Out jumped my startled dog, up popped the eyes - a second Raccoon Dog, presumably it had deemed it safer to retreat into the water on our earlier approach.

I slept this night in my cabin, none too warm, but dawn was a treat - Redwings in song, a flock of 15 Bramblings around the feeders, a pair of Goldeneye on the waters between the last ice. T'was a day of maintenance however, birding limited to the those by the way, Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers excavating a nesthole, Great Spotted Woodpeckers mating. Cleared many fallen trunks blocking my paths, a task made ever more laborious by the endeavours of my Beavers! In the distance, a Bittern boomed, overhead an occasional Hawfinch ticked. Tawny Owls hooted near their nestbox. A long day of graft over, I took a break upon my raptor viewpoint - still a week early for the return of the local Lesser Spotted Eagles, but with the sun bright, I lived in hope. They did not materilise, but ample compensation in the form of a passing Hen Harrier, not an abundant bird on my land.

Over the next two days, the land bathed in warm sunshine, migrants continued to arrive - Greenshank, Little Ringed Plovers and other waders at Baltoji Voke, a strange race White Wagtail in my garden. Highlight of the days however was not the migrants, but the growing flock of Siskins at my garden feeders - an impressive 70 now hogging the feeders and decorating virtually every tree in the garden. One Hawfinch drinking at the garden pond too.

 

[halftwo]

Just like my garden. Not!

 

[Jos Stratford]

Days of warmth all too short-lived, temperatures now returning to a mere 10 C by day and not far off zero at night. However, the days of sun have done their stuff - additional migrants appearing at sites wide and far. At Baltoji Voke, falling water levels have exposed mud just in time for returning waders - Greenshanks, Green Sandpipers, Black-tailed Godwits, Ruff, but the wader highlight of the spring so far, one Marsh Sandpiper.

Penduline Tits in several localities, Common Terns and Savi's Warblers on the lakes and the fishpools, Lesser Spotted Eagles displaying over meadows, all spring migrants arriving. Lesser Whitethroats too, plus more Swallows and a healthy dose of Garganey.

An evening visit to my lands, White Storks on the nest, plus at atmospheric image of one as it stalked the meadows, below, also a Tawny Owl in flight near the nestbox. I decided a start to small mammal surveying was in order, put down the live-catch traps baited with peanut butter, one hour later two Bank Voles scurrying about inside, my first catches. One Roe Deer crashing though the forest too.

Despite temperatures nothing spectacular, still butterflies on the wing - Small Tortoiseshells and Peacocks sunning on sheltered banks, occasional Brimstones here and there. Hawfinches in the garden going through the roof - one on the peanut feeder, two at the pond and ten at the garden edge yesterday.

 

[Andrew]

Bank Voles, I am impressed. My ID skills do not go that far. If it runs along the track/path in front of me with a blunt nose it is a 'vole'. If it has a pointy nose, it is a 'shrew'.

If it's big, it's a Rat!!

 

[Jos Stratford]

Minus three overnight, a cocktail of sleet, snow and sun yesterday, genuine warmth today, a right mix ...but battling the elements/basking in the sun, migrants pouring in. House Martin, Yellow Wagtails and a Black-necked Grebe just a stroll down from my house, Tree Pipits, Pied Flycatchers and Wood Warblers in my woodland. Also my first Willow Warbler of the year, mixed waders including 160 Ruff, four Common Sandpipers, a smattering of Greenshank and Ringed Plover. A Caspian Tern was a welcome extra.

But pure pleasantness, sat upon my veranda today, a Middle Spotted Woodpecker at the feeder, up starts a familiar call - the first Wrynecks to return, one of my favourite guests on my land. The ringing call continues, on a bough I spy the male, perched a mere few trees away. On and off all day, he sings. Midday, suddenly action - a second Wryneck, the pair in unison - down to a nestbox, he sits atop singing, she immediately vanishes inside. Will be right nice if they do choose this box - in perfect view of my deckchair! Butterflies also on the wing - Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock - and a brief toy with the small mammal traps immediately paid off, three Bank Voles again, soon scampering on their way.

 

[Jos Stratford]

Nestbox too distant for good photograph, but from the veranda...

 

[delia todd]

Lovely to know they're back Jos:t:

D

 

[Jos Stratford]

And for a certain BF member a tad further north, another veranda shot from today...

 

[McMadd]

message received & understood!

 

[Jos Stratford]

May Day Birding

Not a bad start to the month, a big Elk trotting across the road.

And the day got better - quite an influx of birds at Baltoji Voke, newly-arrived songsters including Thrush Nightingales, Whitethroats and Whinchats, and an impressive rise in aquatic migrants. On Papis, Black Terns now numbered about 70 birds, Little Gulls steady at 40, but the day's most impressive change was at the fish pools. With water levels just perfect, it's rich pickings for the waders - in their multi-coloured finery, an almighty 725 Ruff strutting their stuff, a very good number indeed. And amongst them, jostling for position, 165 Wood Sandpipers, 43 Spotted Redshanks, 18 Greenshanks, a dozen or so Black-tailed Godwits and, all in lesser numbers, Common Redshanks, Common Sandpipers, Green Sandpipers, Little Ringed Plovers and Lapwings. A very nice sight it was, especially when complemented by 20 Cranes standing majestically above the teeming masses.

At midday, I decided a frog hunt would be a nice thing to do - failed somewhat, merely notching up a single species, the rather numerous Pool Frog (I think), but did see plenty of those. However, late afternoon, as the day descended into rain, my frog hunt turned up trumps - not an amphibian, but a splendid male Citrine Wagtail in pristine plumage, a right little stunner. Citrine Wagtails established themselves as breeders at Baltoji Voke a few years back, the population rising to about five pairs, before then promptly dying out again, the last breeding pair three years ago now. This bird however was in perfect habitat, hopefully a sign of things to come.

Elsewhere, one Hoopoe eating some big bug, Penduline Tits making a nest, seven Great White Egrets ...and rain clouds that brought ever heavier downpours!

 

[Jos Stratford]

Tern-plosion!

A great day, I arrived on the local patch to a most impressive spectacle, a soup of marsh terns, literally hundreds hawking the waters from bank to bank. Quickly totalled the numbers, a superb 820 White-winged Black Terns, 45 Little Gulls and a similar number of Black Terns. Fantastic stuff, but all was eclipsed a few hours later when the skies opened and huge flocks of additional birds descended just prior to a rainstorm. The lake was now choc-a-bloc, with barely a patch of free water, an absolute minimum of 1850 White-winged Black Terns hawked, an influx of impressive magnitude. Watched the flickering birds, picked up a Whiskered Tern in their midst, then wandered off for goodies elsewhere.

Migration now reaching its peak - Golden Oriole, Red-backed Shrike and Spotted Flycatchers all new in; Great Reed Warbler, Thrush Nightingale and Blackcap in good numbers; a flock of 11 Temminck's Stints the best of the waders. The massive flocks of over 800 male Ruff had largely moved on, but in their place, several hundred females now scurrying across the mudflats. A few Dunlin also arrived, plus too a single Whimbrel, none too common in these parts.

Best of the rest included my second Citrine Wagtail of the week, another male, and the greatest number of butterfies of the year to date - Orange Tips slightly down in number, Wood Whites and Green-veined Whites newly emerged and in fair abundance, with Brimstones, Small Tortoiseshells, Peacocks and Map Butterflies all holding their own, slightly up on previous weeks.

Frog hunting not very successful again! Loads of Pool Frogs, one Common Frog, need to look a bit harder!

 

[halftwo]

As always, Jos, your patch eclipses all others! Stunning!
Hope those Citrines breed.

 

[McMadd]

Just a quick thanks to Jos for a superb weekend's birding on his local patch(es)...two target lifers delivered with a quality supporting cast of birds, butterflies & associated flying whizzing insects, superb landscapes...and equally stunning...pizza...I'll leave the detail to his very good self...

cheers
Mark

 

[Jos Stratford]

Just a quick thanks to Jos for a superb weekend's birding on his local patch(es)...

Sorry about the mosquitoes and storming you through a swamp today :-O


Day One

In darkness, I wait. 1.00 a.m., lights approaching, a vehicle pulls off the road, a rendezvous - Mark descends, a weekend’s birding about to begin. Mission, locate the summer specials, primary targets Lesser Spotted Eagle, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Barred Warbler.

Five hours later, to a serenade of Common Redstart, so the day begins. Onto the local patch, soon engulfed by the eons of birds - two a penny Red-backed Shrikes, stunning males and cryptic females, Icterine Warbler cranking up the vocals, Hawfinches flitting over. First port of call, Lake Papis, Black Terns hawking the still waters, Great Reed Warblers in sound competition with Sedge Warblers, an occasional burst of Thrush Nightingale. Just round the corner, Common Rosefinches adding their explosive songs, a couple of Little Ringed Plovers quietly picking their way along a pool’s edge. More birds, a Black Redstart on the track, Whinchats by the dozen, the first Marsh Harriers of the day, a distant Bittern booming.

I however had suggestions to get moving, for a Barred Warbler to figure on the day’s menu, the early hours could be crucial. Off we bumped, down an atrocious track, my car suffering its usual mistreatment, Mark more impressed by the heaps of dragonflies rising, constant clouds of them disturbed by our passing - Scarce and Four-spot Chasers predominating, Northern White-faced Darters abundant, several other species present in numbers. En route, bowing its head in song, our first Hoopoe of the day, plus an equally vocal Wryneck, both good birds to get things going. Arrived at my chosen patch of bushes, clambered out of the car. Golden Orioles in song in front and behind, Red-backed Shrikes adorning the top on the bush. Glorious sun climbing, casting off the morning chills, then a flit of a bird. Up out of the top of the bush, a song flight, then flutter down to the next bush, male Barred Warbler, super. Glaring yellow eye, shrike-barring, a well-marked stunner, the first target bird of the day to fall. A good ten minutes with this bird, the female also creeping about, then onward we wandered.

At risk of bogging the car, we abandoned it to take a stroll - most pleasant, hawking Black Tern suggesting the location of this year’s colony, plus the first butterflies of the day on the wing - a Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and a tatty Amanda’s Blue. T’was now 10 a.m. however, time for raptors to begin their soaring ways, target number two on the cards. Much scanning of the skies - several Common Buzzard on the wing, an occasional Marsh Harrier, one distant Osprey, then fantastic displays by a Hobby, revelling in the hordes of dragonflies. Drove a few kilometres to the fish pools, Whooper Swans trailing cygnets, Common Rosefinches singing from wires, then the shout - Lesser Spotted Eagle distant. A short dash by car, then above, cracking views of a pair in courtship, butterfly display and dive, soaring up then repeated, rituals of spring, a joy to one certain observer below. Hobby number two tries to distract, fails miserably, the Lesser Spotted Eagle responding by appearing even closer overhead. A few photographs, then off to meadows yonder the eagles stray, show over. Further wanders added Penduline Tit.

Maybe coffee time? A rather sly suggestion, as I knew the most direct route to the only café nearby would take me straight through my butterfly haunts. It might take a while to get there, I hinted. And it did, an extended pause for an unexpected Red-throated Diver that circled overhead, then numerous stops for assorted butterflies - neither the abundance nor variety that will grace the area in July, but for season starters, the offerings were good - an early Black-veined White, plenty of both Small Pearl-bordered and Heath Fritillaries, a couple of Large Skippers, but the best of the morning so far came courtesy of Mark - shuffling over, showing a little green thing on his camera screen, 'what’s this?' he asks. 'Oo er', responds I, 'where was that?' A moment later, we are at the spot - not one, but two Green Hairstreaks, a most delicate butterfly, not very abundant and by no means a species I am guaranteed to see every year. So good on you Mark, thanks for that.

Eventually made the café, sat outside, second serenading Common Redstart of the day, plus a Spotted Flycatcher swooping from pines. Had the munchies as dictated, then headed off for afternoon adventures. Fifteen minutes later, piled out of the car for another Lesser Spotted Eagle, the stop also producing views of a Marsh Warbler and, just up the road, a Great Grey Shrike and few White Storks behind tractors. My destination though was the meadows end, another of my favourite butterfly sites. And impressive it was, not only a Queen of Spain Fritillary and a Northern Chequered Skipper, neither in my expectations for this day, but also one fabulous Black Hairstreak, only the second I have ever found, a real highlight for me. Mark clicking away too, this butterfly lark most contagious! Overhead, another Lesser Spotted Eagle, in bushes nearby another Barred Warbler, views rather more brief than in the morning. A Corncrake gave a short burst of call, a Red Fox and Hoopoe trotted down tracks.

Now late afternoon, the call of Ropejos forest called. A half hour drive, up sandy tracks, into restricted military lands, then onto open heaths, we had arrived. A former Soviet military training base, the sands are a mosaic of shell craters, gaping dunes and regenerating heath, i.e. the little desert of Lithuania, perfect home to a few restricted range species, one being Tawny Pipit, others including Wolf, Smooth Snake and Nightjar. Tawny Pipit was the quarry of the day, off we went, following a long of low dunes, stepping around old ammunition, then twenty minutes later spotted our first bird, a Tawny Pipit plodding along the sand, another success. Cutting back to the car, up flushed two Black Grouse, both males, then the discovery of another Tawny Pipit, this one in aerial display for long periods. Day nearing its end, I then decided to take a ‘new route‘ back, branching off onto a track I have never explored. Had absolutely no idea where I was going and my mobile phone welcomed me to Belarus (!), but the route was simply excellent, the remainder of the day one little surprise after another - via many kilometres of forest track, first a Grey-headed Woodpecker (only the second I have seen in this area), then two Green Woodpeckers a couple of kilometres apart (the first I have seen here), then two drumming White-backed Woodpeckers (also the first in this area). The latter birds, choosing a swampy stream to inhabit, gave Mark plenty of opportunity for close encounters with mosquitoes. Then a real bonus - seven Mountain Hares galloping through the forest, a species I have not seen in Lithuania for many a year. Even better, one paused long enough to get photographs.

Just as I pondered the possibility of being lost, out from the forest we emerged - 25 kilometres or more of sandy tracks over, soon reoriented, back to Vilnius we went, the last treat of the day a singing River Warbler. White Storks were already asleep atop nests, we had been in the field for 16 hours, pizza in Vilnius beckoned.



Day two and photogrpahs to follow.

 

[turkish van]

I have to stop reading your threads!!

 

[Jos Stratford]

I have to stop reading your threads!!

There are other alternatives :-O



Mark's Weekend. Day Two

After the bumper harvest of the day before, I thought it only natural to inflict a little pain upon my visiting birder buddy. Over morning tea in my garden, Pied Flycatchers, Tree Sparrows and Nuthatches all on offer, plus the regular Redstart and a distant booming Bittern, off we went to Labanoras, home to my land and the last key species on Mark’s ’most wanted’.

Upon my feeders, breeding in the swamps beyond, my little slab of land is a little oasis for woodpeckers, a total of land is woodpeckers - eight species recorded, all but one breeding. And of those, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, the object of Mark’s desire, is the second most abundant. Should be no worries then! However, Mark skilfully planned his visit to coincide with the probably the worst week of the entire year to find the blighters! Come in autumn or winter, a half dozen hang from the feeders, come in the spring they drum and call like crazy, come in a couple of weeks, the young have fledged and noisy gangs reside in the backwoods. But come in the first week of June, you get the pleasure of luxuriant vegetation to conceal the quiet adults and a million mosquitoes to keep you company (this also being the peak mossy week!). All started well, a Black Kite sitting in the meadow, White Storks on nests all around. Into the forest we went, Pied Flycatchers at their nestboxes, a pair of Long-tailed Tits with youngsters, plenty of Common and Pool Frogs hopping about. Walked my trail, the ‘easy’ way to see the target bird. Naturally we didn’t see it…but I was celebrating, five years of walking my forest, a certain large beastie was still eluding me - I see their tracks and droppings almost daily, heard them crashing off into the swamplands on several occasions, but today was finally the red letter day, the animal was to appear in the flesh. Just as we rounded a corner, admiring a Beaver lodge to our right, one mother Elk and a calf emerged from hazel thickets, startled by our arrival out they went, splashing into the water and wading of through the trees. I was happy, Mark too, but there was a certain target bird to still think about!
I had an idea to try another section of forest, a semi submerged wild area where no paths exist, but equally rich in woodpeckers. The hike began, a Common Crane winged over, one Marsh Harrier too, but soon we were in the depths of the woodland, battling thickets, avoiding water and, Mark especially, despairing at the quadrillion mosquitoes that seemed delighted at our arrival. Made Mark entire a good hour of this, tempting him to balance on sodden logs to cross dark waters, bash through yet more unforgiving terrain. Think we saw almost no birds - a few Pied Flycatchers, several Wood Warblers, one or two common added extras.

Eventually, I had to admit - Mark was going to be the first person in history to dip on Middle Spotted Woodpecker on my land. We retired to the haven of meadows, the mossies never venturing there. A few butterflies about - Amanda’s Blue and Purple-shot Copper - but taking the day’s prize for the cuteness, even better was a Roe Deer fawn that we stumbled upon - concealed in deep grass, we actually almost trod on it, seeing it only as I was above it!

It was now decision time, in just a few hours till Mark needed to be at an airport. We could accept defeat or try an alternative woodpecker locality. I suggested a short rest in my cabin overlooking the feeders, down we walked. Stop! Male Middle Spotted Woodpecker on the feeders!!! And there he was, a right stunner on the closest feeder, probably smirking at endeavours Mark had endured in the previous hours trying to grab a glimpse. We admired, Goldeneyes with young on the water behind, assorted singing birds the backdrop.

It was time to leave, a Wryneck popped up and sang, we went to the airport. Farewell Mark, hope you had a good weekend.

 

[Jos Stratford]

Other pictures to follow, but Mountain Hare for starters - not bad given it was hand-held at 400 mm, 1/60th sec

 

[McMadd]

Good to know where I've been!

Indeed folks...it's fair to say we earned those birds...long hours in the field...mud...blood...sweat...not quite tears...although they would have been those of joy...a land rich in habitat...rich in quality birds, dragons and flutterbys that are indeed addictive!

To finally see with my own eyes a WHOLE Barred Warbler rather than an Autumn jigsaw of a bird...hands up whose pieced one together down on Beacon Lane...Spurn?! That it was a summer plumage male made it almost a new tick!

Eagles...and the finer points of their id...were sublime...topping out a multitude of raptorial encounters over the weekend...we did manage to dip WTE but less of a loss to me as I can generally scare a few up on a winters weekend up here in the north...LSE, Hobby, Osprey, Buzzards and Marsh Harriers galore...wonderful stuff

Yes...early June and woodpeckers can be...er...innerestin'...from unexpected Greys & Greens to far too hard to find target birds but...my oh my...when that red crown was spied on the feeder, the previous hours (days? months?) of mozzy-fodder trekking were forgotten!

I was a wee bit tired at work today mind you :0)

Cheers
Mark

PS - I tally 104 for the trip Jos...now if any Bubo lister admin are reading...can we have a Lith-list there please?!

 

[Jos Stratford]

New Species, Return of a Species.

Double goodies up on my land at Labanoras - yet another gloomy cloud-laden day, but a red-letter affair nonetheless. Almost eight months since they mysteriously vanished, Nuthatches are back! A brief glimpse of one a week earlier, but today back on the feeders, two in constant attendance, a most welcome returnee! And in the understory adjacent, a small phylloscopus flitting about - Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs both common, Wood Warblers too, but one quick glance at this fellow and it was immediately clear, my land had just notched up its 148th species - one smart Greenish Warbler, a rare species in eastern Lithuania.

Also of note, a Marsh Harrier over the raptor point, a Montagu's Harrier nearby. Wrynecks continue to call in the regeneration, a Short-tailed Field Vole made home under my new critter boards

 

[Jos Stratford]

The annual butterfly fest begins.

Simply phenominal - clouds of butterflies everywhere, July 2010 already breaking records -impressive numbers and plenty of scarce ones amongst them.

Highlights of the first days, my first ever Geranium Argus and White-letter Hairstreaks in Lithuania, my first ever Ilex Hairstreak anywhere, my first Lesser Purple Emperors since 2006, plus my first Yellow-legged Tortoiseshells for two years. Throw in Cranberry Blue, Knapweed Fritillary and Niobe Fritillary, all species that are often elusive, and the month really has been shining brightly!


Sometimes things just go perfectly! An amazing run of days kicked off with a small butterfly fluttering along the front hedge in my Vilnius garden on the 1st. Darted over to see just as it settled on small flowers - and wow, there it was, a splendid White-letter Hairstreak, not only the first I have ever seen in Lithuania, but also my first in over two decades anywhere!!!

And that was just for starters, the first few days of July were just one spectacular butterfly after another, demoting birds such as Hoopoes, Grey-headed Woodpeckers, baby Black Woodpeckers and Nutcrackers to mere background fodder, not befitting of such charasmatic species!



1 July.

Hot and sunny, a few hours to kill. Hit the forests south of Vilnius, aiming for open heaths where they exist. On the byways, many butterflies already on the wing - Pearly and Chestnut Heaths abundant, so too Ringlets, Meadow Browns and Small Tortoiseshells. First port of call, a favoured track that usually notches up the rewards - Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries soon spotted, along with a Moorland Clouded Yellow and two Black-veined Whites. Sunning on the track, a Purple Emperor, then a couple of White Admirals. Scarce and Purple-shot Coppers both common on flowers adjacent, a few Commas also out and about, plus Silver-washed Fritillaries.

A few kilometres further, my main destination, a site for the heathland specials - a little early in the season, but butterflies still a good scattering of butterflies. Quickly found my first Silver-studded Blues of the year and a good number of Spotted Fritillaries, then as a kilometre or two rolled past, bumped into a couple of Painted Ladies flying my way, then a whole bunch of fritillaries feeding - Heath Fritillaries as usual, along with Spotted Fritillaries and several High Brown Fritillaries. Always worth a closer gander, the High Browns very rarely conceal an identification challenge in their midst, a butterfly that I have only seen at a couple of very localised sites. A few blind goose chases later, I mildly surprised myself - not only did I find one of the butterflies I sought, but I also managed my first reasonable photographs of the species - one Niobe Fritillary. Grand total of 30 species of butterfly recorded during the day.



2 July.

With only a couple of hours to spare and a thunderstorm threatening, I almost opted to go shopping! Fortunately I didn’t! Within the city limits, I had stumbled across abandoned meadows with a good range of species just a day or two earlier, so I decided to return for second helpings. An amazing couple of hours - loads of common butterflies, plus almost immediately a Lesser Purple Emperor sunning on the track. A very good find for me, this species is most frequent in years with an abundance of Purple Emperors and my last sighting was in 2006. Next up was a Knapweed Fritillary, another very localised species, and then the cream on the cake, my second White-letter Hairstreak in as many days! Sure beat an hour or to in the shops.



3 July.

Hot and sunny again, time to visit the meadows just to the west of my house, sometimes home to Little Blues and, usually later in the season, Turquoise Blues. Saw neither on this day and after a range of species including the first Small Skippers of the season and unexpectedy another Lesser Purple Emperor, I decided to explore wider, to try and find new habitats. Meandered generally westward, eventually finding signs to an old burial mount, so turned onto the gravel track - immediately coming to an abrupt stop for a butterfly on the track. In company with a Red Admiral and a few Map Butterflies, one splendid Yellow-legged Tortoiseshell, a species never guaranteed in a given year. At this stage, I would have gone home quite happy, but a couple further, things were to turn even better! In fantastic old meadows, full of wild strawberries and surrounded by mixed woodland, an absolute feast of butterflies was awaiting - hundreds on the wing, including good numbers of Amanda’s and Mazarine Blues, Purple-shot Coppers, along with several White Admirals and a single Purple-edged Copper, the latter never a common butterfly. However, highlight of the day (and month so far), came some half an hour after I arrived - along the woodand edge, a small hairstreak fluttered by, briefly pausing on a lower head. Oo, thought I, expecting my third White-letter Hairstreak in three days …but it wasn’t one! Instead, as it settled again, pausing long enough for a photograph or two, it transpired that this was something even better, my first-ever Ilex Hairstreak, another addition to this most desirable of families.

A lunchtime appointment in the city, so with that I departed, but with things on a roll, I decided to explore again in the afternoon, this time driving along the Neris valley north of Vilnius. Another pretty amazing afternoon followed, the culmination being a flower-rich embankment absolutely loaded with butterflies - several Lesser Marbled Fritillaries, then more hairstreaks - quite clearly an exceptional year for them, here I watched another four White-letter Hairstreaks, bringing the total to six in three days. One more addition - a Geranium Argus pausing just long enough to identify, yet another new species for my Lithuanian list!

An impressive three days, far beyond what I could have expected. At this still early stage of the 2010 butterfly season, I had now seen 60 species of butterfly in Lithuania - surely chances of breaking my previous best of 70 species, set only the year earlier.



4 July.

Spent the day on my land - management of the meadows, cutting back and removing some trees in the regeneration zone, the purpose to promote a greater variety of micro-habitats and protect areas rich in orchids and other flowers and attractive to butterflies. Chose the wrong day to do it, a sweltering 28 C, so soon gave up. One Purple-edged Copper was the best of the rewards, but then ventured east to the lands around Kuotonys, finding yet more rich meadows to add more butterflies to my tally - a good flush of Silver-washed Fritillaries on the wing, along with Lesser Marbled Fritillaries and my first Pallas’s Fritillaries of the year, a grand total of three. Two White Admirals also seen, then in meadows nearby another butterfly of interest - initially stumping me, it was one of the studded blues, a quartet of species that frequently cause major headaches to identify. This one shouldn’t have caused any problem, whilst I debated the perennial issue of Idas Blue, I overlooked the easiest in the group, it was a Cranberry Blue, a relatively rare species, one I saw for the first time in 2009.



5 July.

Last day in the bonanza run, a return to my Ropejos Forest patch. Despite heavy thunderstorms overnight and torrential rain that brought trees down, butterfly numbers remained high, the hot sunny day bringing many species onto the wing. Thirty-five species noted during the day, all the familiar favourites, including Purple Emperor, Pallas’s Fritillary, Large Coppers and Silver-studded Blues, along with a few notable extras - the first Little Blue and Short-tailed Blue of the season, along with the first of the second-generation Holly Blues, Queen of Spain Fritillaries and Small Heaths.



6 July.

A lazy day, basically in my garden all day, a brief wander in the meadows nearby adding one further species to the year tally - the first Turquoise Blues of the year, two males and a female flying. Also, amongst the others, Common and Mazarine Blues, plus a Queen of Spain Fritillary.

Species tally now sits at 64 species for the year.