The Bluethroat is a small passerine bird that breeds across northern and central Eurasia, and migrates south for the winter. In India, Bluethroats are passage migrants that stop over during their migratory journeys between their breeding grounds in the north, and their wintering grounds further south.
Where do Bluethroats breed?
Bluethroats breed across a wide swath of northern Eurasia, from Scandinavia in the west, through Russia and Central Asia, and eastwards across Siberia to Kamchatka and the Commander Islands. Their breeding range extends as far north as the southern tundra zones, and as far south as northern Mongolia, northern Kazakhstan, and northern China.
Within their vast breeding range, Bluethroats occupy different habitats depending on the region. In Europe, they are typically found in wet meadows and damp scrubby areas. In Siberia, they move into open scrubby tundra and forest-tundra fringe habitats. In Central Asia, they breed in riparian thickets along rivers and wetlands.
Key Bluethroat breeding areas:
- Scandinavia
- Northern Russia and western Siberia
- Central Siberia
- Russian Far East and Kamchatka
- Northern Kazakhstan and western Mongolia
Where do Bluethroats winter?
During the northern winter, Bluethroats migrate south to warmer regions, with the majority wintering in tropical southern Asia. Their winter range extends from eastern Iran across southern Asia, through Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and southern China.
In India, Bluethroats are passage migrants. They pass through on their way to wintering sites further south in southeast Asia, or make shorter stopovers before continuing to wintering grounds in northeast Africa or the Middle East.
Key Bluethroat wintering areas:
- Indian subcontinent
- Southeast Asia
- Southern China
- Northeast Africa
- Middle East
Migration routes from breeding to wintering grounds
There are three primary migration routes Bluethroats take from their breeding areas to wintering sites:
Western route
- Birds breeding in Scandinavia, northern Europe and western Russia migrate southwest over Europe and the Mediterranean to northeast Africa and the Middle East
Central route
- Birds from central and eastern Siberia migrate south through Central Asia before fanning out to winter sites in southern Asia
Eastern route
- Birds in eastern Siberia, Kamchatka and the Russian Far East take a southeastern route down through Japan, Korea, eastern China and southeast Asia
Of these routes, the central migration path brings Bluethroats through India on their way to wintering areas further south. The exact stopover sites used in India vary between individual birds and populations.
Timing of migration through India
Bluethroats pass through India on migration during spring and autumn. The timing of their migrations is:
Autumn migration
Most Bluethroats pass through India during September and October on their way to wintering areas further south.
Month | Migration Activity |
---|---|
September | Peak migration period, high numbers of Bluethroats passing through |
October | Migration activity declines but still substantial numbers |
November | Migration ends, only stragglers remaining |
Spring migration
The spring return passage is in March and April as the birds migrate back to breeding grounds:
Month | Migration Activity |
---|---|
March | First Bluethroats start passing through India |
April | Peak spring migration period |
May | Migration activity declines as most birds have passed through |
Stopover sites used in India
During their migration through India, Bluethroats rely on wetlands, marshes, streams, and irrigated agricultural land to rest and refuel. Important stopover sites include:
Gujarat and Rajasthan
- Nalsarovar Lake
- Thol Lake
- Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary
Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
- Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary
- Samaspur Bird Sanctuary
Assam and Northeast India
- Deepor Beel
- Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary
These wetland habitats provide essential resources for migrating Bluethroats to rest and refuel during their long journeys between breeding and wintering areas.
Threats faced by migrating Bluethroats in India
Bluethroats face a number of threats during migration through India:
Habitat loss
- Drainage and degradation of wetlands reduces stopover habitat
- Overgrazing and pollution also impacts wetlands
Hunting
- Bluethroats are hunted for food and sport in some areas
Climate change
- Changes in weather patterns and resource availability may impact migration timing and success
Protecting key wetland stopover sites and limiting hunting pressures during migration periods is important for conserving Bluethroats and other migratory bird species.
Conclusion
In summary, Bluethroats migrate from breeding areas across northern Eurasia to wintering grounds in tropical southern Asia. During migration they pass through India, primarily during September-October and March-April. They rely on wetland stopover sites to rest and refuel, but face threats from habitat loss, hunting and climate change. Protecting critical migratory stopover habitats will be key for the future conservation of Bluethroat populations.