The bluethroat

In March 2024, I spent a morning on a nature photography outing in Brittany searching for the Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica cyanecula), a small migratory passerine as discreet as it is fascinating. While this bird usually hides in dense bushes, spring is the ideal season to observe it: the male perches in a visible spot to deliver his nuptial song, rich in trills and imitations, to defend his territory and attract a mate. Recognizable by its bright blue throat adorned with a white “mirror” and reddish spots on its tail, it stands out with colors that are rare among European passerines. The Bluethroat feeds mainly on insects and spiders, which it hunts on the ground.

In the marshes, at dawn, before human activity becomes too intense, I was also fortunate to spot a grey heron, a great egret, as well as a group of spoonbills and black-headed gulls peacefully feeding. These privileged moments showcase the richness of Breton ornithology and the importance of patience in wildlife photography, when the soft morning light reveals the full wild beauty of Brittany.