It struck me having photographed Whitethroats in May and then again in September how they can really completely change their diets. They seemed so insectivorous in May, that I could not imagine how much they would relish berries in the Autumn. This along with the migration to the Sahel in sub-Sahara Africa must be their great survival strategy.
In spring when there are young to feed, and they need to gather as much protein together as quickly as possible they feed on a diet of insects and spiders.
When it becomes cooler and there are less of these available, they readily switch to a diet of berries.
It is difficult to imagine that in a few weeks they will fly to Africa and even cross the Sahara desert. They are really lovely birds and I always look forwarded to seeing and hearing them on their return.
Good luck until next spring!
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