It had always been Lodge's ambition to be linked with one major work as the sole artist. At the age of 81 he embarked with David Bannerman, who was responsible for the text, on the twelve volumes of The Birds of the British Isles 1953-63. The Book was a huge success and received excellent reviews. C.E. Raven of Cambridge wrote following the publication of the first two volumes: 'Mr Lodge's pictures have never reached a higher level, they are among the very best that have ever been published, see J. Savoury, George Lodge Artist, Naturalist, 1986, p.44
Closely related to the European Common Teal, the male Garganey has a distinctive breeding plumage, well shown in this painting, with a clear white brow-stripe. Unlike teal, however, Garganey do not migrate so far north to breed and it is possible to see female Garganey with ducklings in summer on some of Britain's wetlands