Summarizing the main trends over the last 56 years:

• The population of Mallard and Teal was at its highest during the 1970s, but this was because the former were reared. Mallard numbers reached highs of 800+.
• The numbers of Pochard have declined at Bowood in part because they are tempted away by the abundant resources available at some of the nearby flooded gravel pits.
• Canada Geese, which were introduced to Bowood in the early 1960’s, have thrived. For the last twenty years they have maintained a constant population, ranging from 200-400.
• Greylag Geese were introduced at the same time but have never been great in number. There has been some Greylag/Canada Geese cross-breeding in last few years.
• Tufted Duck have always been around, but the numbers have varied.
• There was a sighting of a Snow Goose in 1995 which was extremely rare, even in North European countries. It most likely had escaped from a bird sanctuary.
• Coots have increased in number at the same time as there has been a decline in the number of Moorhens.
• Grey Herons have always been at Bowood in decent numbers. Food in the lake is plentiful. The largest number of Heron nests recorded by Julian in a single tree was 15.
• Merganser have been seen on the lake and there are usually a few Goosander during the winter months. They have managed to breed successfully in Wiltshire.
• Mandarin Duck were reared at one point in the 1980s and numbers in the wild normally increase from October. There are a few residents throughout the year.
• There is a constant population of Great Crested Grebes.
• There have been a few occasional visitors to Bowood – including Artic Tern, Barnacle Geese, Red-Breasted Geese, Little Egret, Great Egret, Black Swan, and Goldeneye,
• Other waterfowl that have been recorded on the lake include Common Tern, Red-Crested Pochard, Shoveller, Pintail, Kingfisher, Cormorant, Wigeon, Gadwall, Garganey, Little Gull and Shelduck.

Mandarin Ducks (Fiona Turnbull)