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Sailing activity and waterfowl do not mix well. As sailing takes over the whole water surface, birds are constantly harassed. Birds leaving the reservoir fly off chiefly to Queen Elizabeth II Reservoir. Despite disturbance suffered by the waterfowl on sailing days, birds quickly return to the reservoir on non-sailing days as confirmed by Saturday and mid-week counts during 1972-73 and 1973-74. Sometimes the waterfowl return in smaller numbers than those chased off. Queen Elizabeth II Reservoir is less than a mile from Island Barn and clearly the maintenance of that reservoir as an undisturbed sanctuary is an important factor in maintaining duck numbers in the vicinity of Island Barn. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) appear to be generally tolerant to sailing. Green-winged teal (Anas crecca) numbers in the post-sailing period have been about half of what they were previously. The effect of sailing on tufted duck (Aythya fuligula) appears to have been largely on the numbers of molting birds which build up on some reservoirs in August. Numbers in mid-winter have not been appreciably affected. Disturbance of sailing is not to the liking of common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) and they have now almost deserted the reservoir.