Boarstall Duck Decoy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Boarstall Duck Decoy is a 17th-century duck decoy located in Boarstall, Buckinghamshire, England, and now a National Trust property.

At one time a common sight in the English countryside, the Boarstall Duck Decoy is one of the four remaining duck decoys in the country. It remains in working order, and is surrounded by 13 acres of natural woodland.

The intent of the decoy was to catch large numbers of waterfowl. A decoy or fake duck was used to attract birds onto a small patch of water. The pond was equipped with a long cone-shaped wickerwork tunnel. A "decoyman" with a trained dog then herded the birds into the tunnel. Once the birds have been trapped in the tunnel, they could then be caught as required. Originally, the birds trapped here were a source of food. Today, the National Trust organise demonstrations, and any birds caught are ringed for ornithological study.