15-16 May. So Near, So Far.
Brown Bear, a mere 25 km north-east of my land! Not seen by me, but tantalisingly close with nothing but perfect bear habitat separating this fine beast from my land. Some years ago there would be a
Brown Bear in Lithuania every few years, but there is usually one or two every year, largely due to rising populations in Estonia ...still a mouthwatering prospect however to have one so close. Certainly got me to increase the grain at my feeder!
Then stone me, reports of another
Brown Bear the next day, this one 30 km southeast of my land! Looking at the photographs, they appear to be different animals, very impressive to have two in Lithuania simultaneously ...I am surrounded by bears
Meanwhile, back on my land, a big brown mammal present too, or two big brown mammals in fact ...not quite as impressive as bears, but still nice nonetheless - two
Moose in the wetland. Otherwise, in two rare days of wonderful sunshine, plenty of incoming migrants -
Honey Buzzard,
Golden Orioles,
Red-backed Shrikes,
Common Rosefinch,
Thrush Nightingale,
Spotted Flycatcher at al. In the flood forest, the
Whooper Swans were still incubating, plus
Garganey still present and, hawking emerging dragonflies, my first
Hobby of the year. Also the welcome return of a
Little Crake and yet more increase on the
Great Reed Warbler front, three now in song.
Still pretty poor for butterflies however, the cold spring holding many species up. Good numbers of
Map Butterflies though, plus plenty of Wood Whites, my first
Green Hairstreaks of the year and my first
Grizzled Skipper of the year.
