Conservation
The Pochard Puzzle: Why a Common Duck Is Now Red-Listed
Once a familiar sight on winter lakes, the pochard has declined sharply. What’s going on?
D
Dr. Mara Fenwick
Editor-in-chief · 1 min read · 20 Jun 2026
A few decades ago, a winter lake without pochard was unthinkable. Today, this chestnut-headed diving duck is on the UK Red List.
Researchers point to changing conditions on their eastern European breeding grounds, and to declines in the chironomid midges that ducklings depend on.
