Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)

Male Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) at Marais de Sionnet. March 2015. Not baited. Not called in.

The Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) can be seen around Geneva during migration only as it is not a resident in our area. It is a small robin-like passerine known for the outstanding plumage of the male which includes a bright blue throat. 

In March 2015, I heard about his presence in the countryside by Meinier so I decided to go and try to spot it. It is only after having spoken to another birder that day that I knew exactly where to look for. I was so pleased to see this stunning male. Because of his white spot in the centre of the blue bib, I can confirm it is the subspecies L. svecica cyanecula living in southern and central Europe. I stayed pretty far making sure I was not bothering and left after 10 minutes. My only sighting to date.

JAG