In a month that traditionally sees few birds, February proved be an excellent month - primarily with fantastic action at my Labanoras feeding station.

The feeders really hit the jackpot - not only did the female White-backed Woodpecker and a Grey-headed Woodpeckers visit throughout the month, but a fabulous Three-toed Woodpecker appeared on the 7th, my first ever in Lithuania and the eighth species of woodpecker on my land (seven during February!). Other highlights during the month included a search to see Bisons in Poland, various night escapades to search for owls and the chance finding of another Three-toed Woodpecker, this time a female in the north of the country. 

The year just hours old, a Raccoon Dog scampered across the road. Dawn had just broken, a Middle Spotted Woodpecker appeared in a tree. While most the world still slept off celebrations, mine were just beginning - primarily with a flock of Pine Grosbeaks, a major rarity in the Baltic States. In a New Year excursion, taking in Latvia and Estonia and adding Hazel Grouse, over 800 Steller's Eiders, several White-tailed Eagles and rafts of seaduck that numbered in their thousands, it was already looking to be an excellent year in the making.

Later, White-backed Woodpecker on my feeders, a trip across to Sweden for Europe's eighth ever Yellow-browed Bunting, plus Oriental Turtle Dove and Hawk Owl, the month just got better and better!