Minimum 40 Birds Day: Ornithologists Remind How to Help Returning Feathered Friends
Ornithologists in Lithuania highlight the importance of helping migratory birds returning to the country as climate change affects their migration patterns.
In Lithuania, the date marks the significant period when migrating birds begin to return to the country. As temperatures rise due to climate change, these heralds of spring are increasingly noticed arriving earlier, with some species returning even before the calendar spring begins. This shift signals a shorter winter and changing migration trends, as reported by the Lithuanian Ornithological Society (LOD).
In 2025, ornithologists and birdwatchers noted 288 bird species across Lithuania, which is five species fewer than the record-high 293 species observed in 2023. Despite this decline, the birdwatching community is encouraged by the presence of rare species in local habitats. Notably, a farm has become home to several species that are listed in the Red Book, drawing the attention of ornithologists and nature enthusiasts alike.
While 2025 may not have yielded a bounty of rare sightings, there were some memorable observations including species such as the desert lark, fork-tailed drongo, American bittern, and the lesser kestrel among others. These findings demonstrate the biodiversity of the region and emphasize the ongoing need for conservation efforts to protect both common and rare bird species in Lithuania.