At its broadest definition the flight pond is an open area of fresh water or marsh used by wildfowl in the evening when they flight from their daytime resting places on estuaries or large water bodies in  order to feed. Flight ponds can therefore provide wildfowl shooting at dusk. Duck can also be shot as they leave a flight pond in the morning.

The wildfowl using such ponds may have been reared and released, or bred in the wild locally, or have travelled long distances to overwinter in the British Isles.  Mallard are most common but ponds can also attract teal and other species.

As with all forms of shooting, it is essential to ensure high standards of practice.  Excessive or inconsiderate shooting is unacceptable, bad for conservation, likely to reduce shooting success and bring all shooting sports into disrepute.  If this Code is followed, flight ponds will continue to provide excellent shooting with benefits to conservation which can be demonstrated to, and enjoyed by, a wider public.

Location of Flight Ponds

1. When considering the creation of a new pond, investigate the need for consents from the local planning authority and the Environment Agency.

2. When creating a new pond, choose the location with care; boggy, wet grassland can have a higher conservation value than an inappropriately placed area of open water.

3. Regard should be given to the special status of surrounding or nearby land, particularly nature reserves, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) or other land managed for shooting.  Make sure you contact surrounding land managers to ascertain how best to integrate your own shooting plans with theirs.

4. Minimise the risk of disturbance to nearby residents and livestock.

5. Consider the need to fence a flight pond from livestock, to avoid damage to the margins.  However, should stock be using it for water, an area can be fenced to accommodate their access.

Shooting Practice

The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 provide for wildfowl shooting in the UK. In particular the dates when they may be legally shot are, September 1st - January 31st inclusive (extending to 20th February below the mean high water mark of ordinary spring tides in England, Wales and Scotland).

It is illegal to shoot wildfowl on Christmas Day in England, Wales and Scotland. It is also illegal on Sundays in Scotland and certain areas in England and Wales. The latter relate to former counties and it is the responsibility of the individual to check whether Sunday shooting is allowed in the area they wish to shoot. Night shooting is prohibited in Northern Ireland.

In addition:

1. Many wildfowl are migratory.  Estuaries and inland wetlands are often of national and international importance for wildfowl populations.  Everyone has a responsibility to safeguard them and their environment.

2. Avoid scheduling shoots on days when official bird counts take place.  For national count dates contact BASC.

3. Shooting should not take place more than once every two weeks.

4. As a guide, the bag limit should be no more than 10 birds per gun (recognising that many sportsmen will be satisfied with much less).

5. Guns should always be in place half an hour before expected flight time.
 
6. The use of lead shot for shooting over wetlands is being phased out in the UK.  In England the use of lead shot to shoot all wildfowl wherever they occur, as well as over all foreshore and on specified SSSIs, has been banned. It is the duty of all shooters to be aware of and comply with further restrictions as and when they may be introduced, either at site level or wider (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).

7. For most flight pond shooting a 12 bore gun with 28 - 32g (1 - 1 1/8 oz) cartridges will normally be appropriate.  For large ducks (mallard) pellet size no. 4/5 is widely used, for small ducks (teal) no. 6, and for geese no. 3 or 1, when using high density shot types like bismuth or tungsten.  When using low-density types like tin or steel increasing pellet size by at least two is helpful (i.e. from no. 6 to no. 4).

If you wish to use steel shot you are advised to obtain the information papers from BASC Head Office to help ensure its effective and safe use in your gun.

The correct combination of gun, cartridge and choke is important, and will be influenced by personal preference.  For each person there is a maximum range for each type of quarry at which clean kills are consistently achieved.  Do not shoot beyond that range.

Pattern your chosen gun/cartridge combination before shooting to check your accuracy and that the pattern is adequate for your intended quarry.

 At the pond identify features that will help to confine your shooting to your own personal range limits.

8. All shot wildfowl should be carefully 'marked' and retrieved as soon as possible.  Do not leave wounded birds in order to take another shot.  If necessary shoot birds again to make sure they are dead and retrievable, provided it is safe to do so.

9. Dogs are normally essential for retrieving but should be kept under close control.

10. Always allow enough time and light for the retrieval of shot birds before leaving. Aim to vacate the pond before the last birds arrive.

11. Hides should be made out of materials that blend in with the surroundings.

12. Remember to pick up cartridge cases and remove all other litter.

Safety

Safety is of paramount importance and this Code of Practice recommends that:

1. Clear instructions are given about where guns are placed, where it is safe to shoot and when shooting can start and must stop.

2. Hides must be constructed and positioned to maximise safety.

3. Guns must know where any dog handlers may be positioned.

4. Guns must not be loaded until shooting can start and must be unloaded as soon as it ends.

5. The following  points can be found in BASC's Shotgun Safety Code which must be followed at all times:

Never shoot unless you are certain what you are shooting at

Never shoot unless you are sure it is safe

Never attempt to shoot unless you are steady on your feet
 
Never have more than one gun per hide
 
Always have the safety catch on 'safe' until the moment before you wish to fire

Always make sure the barrels are pointing in a safe direction when reloading and waiting for a shot

6. Take great care shooting wounded birds on the water; pellets can ricochet in unexpected directions.

Feeding Wildfowl

If supplementary feeding is carried out, this Code of Practice recommends that:

1. Care should be taken to avoid excess feed being left in or around the pond: it encourages pests and predators, eg rats.

2. Additional feeding may be needed in severe weather.

3. As a guideline, increase the amount of food provided until some is left, then cut back slightly.

4. Generally a 10 litre (2 gallon) bucket of barley per 100 duck per day is sufficient.

Wildfowl Release

The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 provide that mallard eggs may be collected from the wild (under General Licence) until the end of March in England and Wales, and in Scotland and Northern Ireland until April 14th. Collected eggs must be incubated and every effort made to rear the ducklings. They must be released into the wild by July 31st.  In addition, this Code of Practice recommends that:

1. The number of birds released must be appropriate to the size and other characteristics of a flight pond.

2. As a guide, when releasing mallard, 600 birds per hectare  (250 birds per acre) of water is a maximum.

3. Any waterfowl must be released by  July 31st.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Severe Weather

The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985  provides for periods of special protection for all wildfowl (including reared
mallard) in emergencies such as prolonged severe weather. 

Prior to such statutory protection being introduced the BASC may recommend voluntary restraint.  Details of the suspension of shooting due to severe weather are posted in the national press and sporting magazines.  Information and guidance is made available through BASC regional offices and the BASC website.

Research

This Code of Practice encourages participation in the BASC's long-running Duck Wing Survey.  This survey monitors the breeding success of wigeon and teal.  Details are available from BASC Research Department.

Pond Construction and Management

This Code of Practice draws attention to further information on the management of ponds available from BASC's information book entitled 'Ponds and Lakes for Shooting and Conservation'.

Insurance

This Code strongly recommends that all guns carry legal liability insurance cover for third party claims. This is inclusive within BASC membership.