Excellent month at Labanoras, the feeding station a buzz of action - Black Woodpeckers being attacked by a Sparrowhawk, a Pygmy Owl spooking the smaller birds, increasing numbers of White-backed Woodpeckers, plus two Grey-headed Woodpeckers, a female Goshawk and a male Hen Harrier nearby.

Elsewhere, Smew, Hen Harriers and Bewick's Swans , plus occasional flocks of Waxwings and an inland Pomarine Skua - all in all, quite a good month.

A most peculiar start to the month, warm enough to bring a late flush of butterflies, including several Wall Browns, my 78th species of the year in Lithuania, yet also distinctively autumnal with movements of passerines and a woodpecker bonanza at my feeding station, all the specialities back nice and early - White-backed Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker and Grey-headed Woodpecker amongst the cast, also late Cranes passing over.

By mid-month however, with Hen Harriers, Bewick's Swans and Smews, plus a flurry of snow, there was no doubting, the winter was on its way!

After a month and more of glorious butterfly action, it was back to the birds. With hints of autumn migration underway, August began on a high with two Great Snipes flushed from wet meadows. With Hoopoes and Wryneck also on the menu, and a trickle of warblers through the garden, it was a welcome return to avian delights.

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.