Bluethroat singing

An iconic bird

Have you ever seen a bluethroat? It's a small bird with a beautifully coloured blue throat, accented with a touch of orange. I hadn't seen one myself until I came across some pictures, which made me eager to see one in real life. However, you won't find them in winter; they are only present in the Netherlands from March to September.

In the past, the bluethroat was on the endangered species list in the Netherlands. Fortunately, this is no longer the case. These birds thrive in varied, wet, and insect-rich environments with open areas, scrub, and deciduous vegetation. They prefer habitats where the soil isn't completely covered. The gradual transition from reedbeds to swamp forest offer an ideal setting, and as these habitats have been restored in the Netherlands, so has the bluethroat population.

Singing to its heart content

On a windy - but dry - Wednesday afternoon at the end of March, we set out to such an area, hoping to catch a glimpse of this little bird. We heard its beautiful mating song, but didn't see it at first. During our long walk, we spotted or heard several other birds, including the elusive Eurasian bittern.

After walking for quite some time and nearly back at our starting point, we finally spotted two bluethroats low among the reeds. It wasn't an ideal situation for taking pictures, but as the wind died down and the sun came out, the bluethroat emerged. It flew from reed to reed, singing to its heart content.

At last, we could see how magnificently this bird had been created. The sunlight made its colours even more vibrant, and we took the opportunity to snap some photos. Once again, we were reminded of the beauty of God's creation. Patience and careful observation are key to discovering such wonders.

Bluethroat singing

A beautiful bird