The Godwit And Curlew

The Bowerbird Collective

An ode to to the magic and mystery of migratory shorebirds

Why we wrote this song

Migratory shorebirds are one of the world’s most extraordinary, and most threatened, species groups. These awe-inspiring birds travel from pole to pole twice annually, weaving invisible connections between continents and cultures.

This song reflects on the nature of migration and the dangers that lie ahead for these birds. Ultimately, it is a story of hope, and an expression of love and support for these precious creatures.

About us as artists

The Bowerbird Collective produces new multimedia work that tells conservation stories, with the aim of strengthening emotional connections to the natural world. They tour extensively, with a focus on performing in regional areas, deliver exceptional educational outreach opportunities to school age children, and work with national and international conservation organisations to explore nature through the arts.

Founded by Simone Slattery (violin, vocals) and Anthony Albrecht (cello) in 2017, the Collective has produced more than 200 events across Australia, the UK and the US. Their concert production ‘Where Song Began’ was called ‘spectacular’ in a 5 star review by Limelight Magazine and won a Ruby Award from Arts South Australia. Their albums of threatened bird/frog calls, ‘Songs of Disappearance’, made it to No.2 in the ARIA Album Charts ahead of ABBA and Adele.

About the music video

The Godwit and Curlew was written as part of ‘Invisible Connections’, an online
performance produced in isolation during the early stages of the pandemic in celebration of World Migratory Bird Day, May 8, 2020.

This was our first online Covid-times production, and the first of many projects produced in collaboration with the East Asian-Australasian Flyway partnership to help celebrate World Migratory Bird Day and to raise awareness of the plight of these extraordinary birds.