Boarstall Duck Decoy

[1] At one time a common sight in the English countryside, only four duck decoys now remain.

The Boarstall Duck Decoy is still in working order, and is surrounded by 13 acres (53,000 m2) of natural woodland.

A decoy or fake duck was used to attract birds onto a small patch of water.

The advantage over simply shooting the birds was that ducks caught by this method did not have pellets or lead shot in their bodies that would have to be removed prior to consumption, allowing them to command higher prices.

Today, the National Trust organise demonstrations, and any birds caught are ringed for ornithological study.