Bluethroat is a small passerine that was formerly classed as
a member of the thrush family (Turdidae) but is now more
generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher (Muscicapidae).
It and other similar small European species are often called
chats. Some forms such as Luscinia svecica svecica
(Red-spotted Bluethroat) of northern Eurasia have a red spot
in the centre of the blue bib others such as L. s. cyanecula
(White-spotted Bluethroat) of southern and central Europe
have a white spot in the centre of the blue bib. L. s. magna
in Turkey has no central spot.
There has been just one Red-spotted Bluethroat reported from
S. Gloucestershire;
1998: (1)
On May 14th an adult male was watched closely at the bottom
of a Blackthorn thicket on Rushmead Lane near Marshfield.
This occurrence constitutes the first report of this species
for S. Gloucestershire. (Paul Chadwick)