Wildlife

Wild Pochard Duck Diving Welfare

Pochards are diving ducks that have declined severely in the UK, with welfare implications from lead poisoning, habitat loss, and disturbance.

Key Facts

UK pochard populations have declined by over 70% since the 1980s
Pochards dive to feed on aquatic vegetation and invertebrates in lakes and reservoirs
Lead poisoning from ingested lead shot and fishing weights causes significant mortality
Disturbance from recreational watersports forces birds from key feeding sites
Pochards hybridise freely with ferruginous ducks, complicating conservation genetics

Welfare Considerations

Pochard welfare is affected by lead poisoning from lead shot ingestion, which causes paralysis and slow death. Recreational disturbance forces energy-expensive flight and prevents adequate feeding. Lead ammunition bans in wetlands and disturbance-free zones at key wintering sites directly reduce welfare costs.

What You Can Do

Support lead ammunition bans in wetland habitats
Advocate for disturbance-free zones at key diving duck wintering sites
Use non-toxic fishing weights to prevent waterfowl lead poisoning