I love all warblers but the whitethroat is a particular favourite of mine so I’ll start with this species.
Whitethroat saying hello
Like most British warblers the whitethroat spends the winter in Africa. This means it has only just returned to Britain and I am happy to report that this year record numbers have made it back to their breeding grounds! Great to hear something positive about bird population numbers for a change!
Whitethroats can be found in open country and shrub/bramble where they feed (on insects and berries in autumn) and nest.
So if you go for a walk in the countryside (and you really should, there is so much to see!) you are very likely to encounter a whitethroat – in all likelihood a male. He will probably be perched on top of a bush (or possibly be skulking in a clump of bramble) and sing, sing, sing!
Male whitethroat in full song
Whitethroats are also very inquisitive little birds – you can be sure they have been watching you long before you know they’re around.
Inquisitive whitethroat
Check out the whitethroat’s scratchy but lovely song and alarm call here:
As you can tell, I love whitethroats. They’re full of character and although they might not be colourful, they’re both beautiful and SO cute!
Male whitethroat
Female whitethroat - she lacks the male's grey head and pinkish chest
Male whitethroat gathering nesting material
Juvenile whitethroat in late summer
Whitethroat fledgling
For more whitethroat photos please have a look here: http://www.finepetportraits.co.uk/whitethroat-bird-photos.html
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