Shooting restricted for six British wild birds to halt population decline

Woodcocks and pochard, pintail and goldeneye ducks among threatened species protected by proposals Hunters will be banned from shooting a rare and beautiful duck under new proposals to halt the decline of six British wild birds. The new rules would restrict the shooting of species including the distinctive woodcock, and the striking pintail, goldeneye and pochard ducks, all of which are classed as under threat and have seen their populations fall sharply in recent years.