Black-tailed Godwit
Graphite on Paper
78 x 78cm
2024
The godwit is a very rare UK resident, but on the north-east coast there are around 41000 winter visitors, having migrated from their breeding grounds in Iceland. This remains a small number, and the species is protected. Male and female birds have different length bills, in order to not compete for the same food supply. Although similar to the curlew, the godwit is smaller, and the bill is straight rather than downward-curving.
Back