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2012 Diary
December 2012. Winter Wonderland. PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jos   

Waxwings 

A month in Africa and another in India, separated and followed by poor weather in Lithuania and a relative lack of activity, my monthly diary had fallen by the wayside. With the start of December and the onset of snow and the sub-zero, time to get the reports up and running again!

And what a month, seven species of woodpeckers on my land, Red Squirrels at both my Vilnius and Labanoras feeding stations, an unseasonal Lesser Whitethroat in Vilnius, an bird showing features of the eastern halimodemdri race and, to top it off, excellent video of a Pine Martin attending my feeders!

Last Updated ( Saturday, 12 January 2013 )
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August 2012. A Summer Ending. PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jos   

White Stork 

After three weeks exploring the wilds of South Africa, August saw me back in Lithuania, plodding the familiar grounds. With a distinct feel of an autumn in the making, some good days to welcome me back to the country, highlights of which were a Red-footed Falcon and mini-influx of Nutcrackers at Labanoras, plus a wealth of late butterflies, including Idas Blue, Queen of Spain Fritillary and Large Tortoiseshell, and a good passage of raptors, the highlights being Osprey, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Honey Buzzard and Common Kestrel.

Last Updated ( Sunday, 20 January 2013 )
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July 2012. Exotic Lands PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jos   

The vast bulk of July was spent in South Africa, tracking down birds and beasties big and small. Amongst the numerous highlights, no less than 25 felines (Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and African Wild Cat), African Civet and close to 400 species of bird.

In the meantime however, a few days in Lithuania saw a marked improvement on the appalling weather conditions of June, temperatures rising to respectable levels and even a showing of the sun. In numbers still far below par for the season, the better conditions also gave a boost to butterfly observations, a total of over 20 species noted, including such charmers Reverdin's Blue, Silver-studded Blue and both Purple Emperor and Lesser Purple Emperor.

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 28 November 2012 )
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June 2012. Wash Out Season. PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jos   

Adder

 

 

June, near non-stop rain from start to finish! All the same, as the traditional month of nesting activity, Quail, Corncrake, Red-backed Shrikes and Golden Orioles were all in place by the beginning of the month, with Bee-eaters too at their select locations. Surprise of the month however was a cracking Little Crake on my plot a Labanoras, a real mid-summer surprise. Also abundances of frogs and toads, plus a few Common Lizards and a corking Adder.

Last Updated ( Monday, 25 June 2012 )
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May 2012. Spring Fresh. PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jos   

 White Stork

Red-breasted Flycatcher, Golden Orioles and Lesser Spotted Eagles, Camberwell Beauties, Swallowtails and Short-tailed Blues, the delights of early May in Lithuania.

Next came a short break to sunny Mallorca, Balearic Warblers and Eleonora's Falcons heading the starcast list.

And then it was back to Lithuania, Red-backed Shrikes and Icterine Warblers arriving at Labanoras, a flush of butterflies including Green Hairstreaks and Dingy Skippers, plus yet more Swallowtails and Camberwell Beauties.

Last Updated ( Friday, 01 June 2012 )
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