Top temperatures and the annual butterfly fest. Clouds of butterflies everywhere, July 2010 breaking all records.

Highlights of the month, my first 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 and Large Tortoiseshells for a couple of years. Add Camberwell Beauties, Swallowtails, Scarce Large Blues, Cranberry Blue, Knapweed Fritillaries and Niobe Fritillary, all species that are often elusive, and it really was a fantastic month! 

For all the highlights however, the peak was undeniably on the 17th - a remarkable 50 speces of butterfly in a single day. Little time for watching birds, but the unexpected find of breeding Bee-eaters was most welcome.

Bird migration down to a trickle, but breeding season in full swing - Lesser Spotted Eagles, Barred Warblers and much more. Better still, butterflies in abundance - Grizzled Skipper and both Green and Black Hairstreaks early in the month, Lesser Marbled and Glanville Fritillaries soon after, with more Black Hairstreaks and a Northern Chequered Skipper as added extras. Later, as sun mingled with rain, localised species such as Large Blue, Spotted Fritillary and Woodland Brown added extra spice. 45 species of butterfly recorded by the second half of the month.

Spring migration in full swing, hundreds of Ruff and Wood Sandpipers moving through, Thrush Nightingales, Red-backed Shrikes and Golden Orioles freshly arrived, plus a few cracking highlights -  a Pallid Harrier north of Vilnius, two Citrine Wagtails on territory,and an amazing flock of over 1800 White-winged Black Terns. Also, a good time on my land - Goldeneyes breeding as usual, a Hoopoe in song and Wrynecks checking out various nestboxes.

Big beastie start to the month - an excellent array of species, including a herd of European Bison, three Elk, both Red and Roe Deers and, top of the lot, a European Polecat. Raccoon Dogs a week later. Birds also not bad - Tawny, Pygmy and Tengmalm's Owls all in voice, Hazel Grouse and at least 30 Woodcock on a nocturnal foray, plus increasing numbers of migrants, including Marsh Sandpipers, Black Storks, Caspain Terns and Hoopoes.