Almost 75% of the Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa/Grutto) population, at least the nominate race, breed in The Netherlands. Unfortunately, numbers of this elegant species are declining rapidly for several reasons. Intensive and large-scale farming is the most important one I guess. When they return, the birds are very much bound to water (after all, they are waders!), later in the season you can see them more and more on wet meadows, preferable those below sea level. I took these photos on a cold afternoon from a hide, together with Astrid Kant. There were many snow showers interspersed with a few sunny periods. Top: ♀. Bottom: ♂.
