UK Wildlife

Pochard Diving Duck Decline

The pochard is a diving duck that has declined dramatically as a breeding species and shows concerning trends as a winter visitor, raising serious conservation concerns.

Key Facts

UK breeding pochard population crashed from around 400 pairs to fewer than 50 in recent decades
Winter visitor numbers also declining, now around 40,000 from previous highs of 70,000+
Male has chestnut-red head and neck with grey body
Dives for aquatic plants, seeds and invertebrates in lakes and reservoirs
Decline may relate to changes in aquatic plant availability and water quality

Welfare Considerations

Pochard is one of the most rapidly declining waterbirds in Europe. Loss of productive shallow lakes with aquatic vegetation is the primary threat. Nutrient changes affecting underwater plant communities are particularly important.

What You Can Do

Support lake restoration projects that improve water quality and aquatic plant growth
Advocate for wetland management that maintains diverse aquatic plant communities
Record pochard on WeBS waterbird counts as these are urgently needed for monitoring