Spring Birds In Lithuania (1 Viewer)

[Lietuvis Birder]

I moved to Lithuania at a great time, I believe. The start of Spring, a time for new beginnings. And a start to my journey into learning the birds of Europe.

In this thread I will document my findings and share what photos I manage to take throughout the Spring season.

I live in Kaunas, so most of my sightings will be from there and I will mention if found elsewhere.

 

[Lietuvis Birder]

On March 30, 2025 I took a trip to the Nemunas River.

Of course I saw plenty of Hooded Crows, which I associate very strongly with Lithuania as they seem to be almost everywhere you look.


A European Herring Gull and Black-Headed Gull chilling on a rock. I really noted the size difference despite both being gulls.


A Mallard couple on a peaceful stroll.


A lot of Mute Swans! I think I counted 28 in total. I was hoping to see some Whooper Swans as well, but no luck.


And just as I was packing up to leave, a White Wagtail posed very cutely on this rock just a few feet away.

 

[Lietuvis Birder]

On April 3, 2025 I went to the local park to see what I could find there. As it turns out, quite a lot!

Of course we had the Starlings. Back in America I remember people calling them a pest, but I think they both sound and look beautiful.


Saw plenty of Fieldfare as well. I was surprised when I saw it. Maybe I shouldn't have been, but I hadn't taken note of them when doing my research.


I was super excited to finally see a European Goldfinch! I think they look amazing, I love their littlre red faces, and their call was great on the ears as well.


Shortly afterwards I encountered this lovely Blue Tit.


A couple of Common Wood-Pigeons.


And I'm not 100% because he kept jumping around and stayed so high up, but I believe this is a Common Chaffinch.

 

[delia todd]

A wonderful start to your Patch thread LB

 

[Lietuvis Birder]

I forgot to mention this guy I found at a cemetary on April 2, 2025.

Eurasian Treecreeper. In my opinion the coolest bird I've seen so far. A tiny fellow, but a joy to watch hopping up the trees looking for a snack.

 

[delia todd]

Yeah... I quite agree... they've always been my favourite woodland bird.

 

[Lietuvis Birder]

In classic Lithuanian fashion, temperatures fell sharply to freezing the last two days accompanied by flurries of snow.

Making this update because today on a walk I spotted a Redwing. Apologies but this is the best pic as I could get, I didnt bring binoculars or the scope for my phone camera.


I also came across these four gentlemanly Rock Pigeons.

 

[Lietuvis Birder]

Back at the park. Temperatures still low with a North wind.

Caught this lovely Rook. Fun fact: the Lithuanian word for the month of March is "Kovas" named after this bird and its arrival.



Funnily enough, April is "Balandis" because of the abundance of pigeons this time of year!


I saw a whole lot of gulls, including this Black-Headed Gull with only one leg! And I believe this is a Common Gull, but I could be wrong. I struggle to tell gulls apart.



And the ever inquisitive hooded crows.


In addition I saw a couple of Jackdaws and a Magpie, but I was unable to get any half decent pictures.

 

[THE_FERN]

Back at the park. Temperatures still low with a North wind.

Caught this lovely Rook. Fun fact: the Lithuanian word for the month of March is "Kovas" named after this bird and its arrival.
View attachment 1638601


Funnily enough, April is "Balandis" because of the abundance of pigeons this time of year!
View attachment 1638602

I saw a whole lot of gulls, including this Black-Headed Gull with only one leg! And I believe this is a Common Gull, but I could be wrong. I struggle to tell gulls apart.
View attachment 1638603
View attachment 1638604

And the ever inquisitive hooded crows.
View attachment 1638605

In addition I saw a couple of Jackdaws and a Magpie, but I was unable to get any half decent pictures.

black-headed gulls (brown heads)

 

[delia todd]

I saw a whole lot of gulls, including this Black-Headed Gull with only one leg! And I believe this is a Common Gull, but I could be wrong. I struggle to tell gulls apart.

The first is an adult in breeding plumage. The one in the water is immature, he is now developing his adult plumage, fully getting a chocolate head and losing the brown feathers on his wings. You can read more about all this in our Opus article: Black-headed Gull - BirdForum Opus

I don't do gulls.... they're much too difficult. But over the years I seem to have absorbed some knowledge about this species LOL.

 

[Lietuvis Birder]

Work's been keeping me busy but I've still spotted some new birds over the last month. Unfortunately I haven't been able to snap a good pic of some, but I will still upload what satisfactory pictures I managed to take (excluding most repeats).

On April 13 I saw a couple of Magpies near Nemunas River


And after hearing so much of their beautiful singing, I finally managed to snag good pictures of the Eurasian Blackbirds on April 19


On the same day a Great Tit also sat still long enough for a few photos


Hadn't seen anything new for a while, but last week (May 3) I spotted a Jackdaw. Unfortunately I was on my way to the gym and didn't have my scope with me for a better pic


And it's the time of year for Barn Swallows to start moving back into their summer homes. Snapped a nice pic of one earlier this afternoon.


Not a new sighting, but I did also see this amusingly chunky (and friendly) feral pigeon at the park a couple weeks back.

 

[Jos Stratford]

Rook ... the Lithuanian word for the month of March is "Kovas" named after this bird and its arrival.

Funnily enough, April is "Balandis" because of the abundance of pigeons this time of year!

The month of kovas is indeed named after Rook, though not I believe after its arrival (many spend winter in Lithuania), but beginning of its nesting. Likewise, the month of balandis is after pigeons, but again due to the commencement of cooing and nestbuilding, rather than abundance 👍

May is gegužė - arrival of Cuckoo.