Heron - pond protection??

no1catman

Hi,

Just lost least a couple of fish from my pond (10.5 x 7.5 ft), very upsetting to scoop something out of the surface and then see it was a fish chopped almost in two pieces! Plus another with no obvious cause of death, but floating on the surface on its side dead.
We had seen a 'big bird' flying off, and know that herons do visit - in the winter had one standing on the thick surface ice! But thought the fish were protected by the netting. The netting is secured on one side by pegs into the soil, the opposite side by tubs on top of the netting, and the other two ends by pegs in garden tubs.
Except this b****** is too clever - walked over the netting (it had bits of blanket weed embedded in some of the 'holes'), and a couple of the securing pegs come out of the surrounding tubs - perhaps giving him access! Yet the pegs were not in the water, but still on the patio i.e. no clear water. Unless he/she went under the netting, I puzzled how he/she has done it.

Has anyone any method, of protecting their fish in the pond from scavenging herons - that works??
Thinking, of constructing a framework of plastic tubing to put the net over.
But any ideas welcome.

Froglet

Probaly what happened was that the heron stabbed at them,but couldn't get a proper hold of them to pull them right out,otherwise he would certainly have eaten them.The other possibility is that a cat somehow got it's claws in?

We have always had a net like yours on our pond,secured by pegs,and not had a problem.But it is more awkward when you need to constantly remove parts of it for maintenance,and in time it started splitting.So my husband made two frames,one for each half of the pond,with poles from an old gazebo and used black tape on the joins to stop them from rusting.He then secured the net with cable ties.This then sits higher over the pond and makes it more difuclut for the heron to reach.It is also a lot easier to remove.

Don't fill the pond right up to the limit either,then it is not so tempting.And if you have plenty of plants,especially ones that cover the surface the fish will have more protection.

trudiha

Apparently, herons don't like competition for food and won't feed next to other herons, so a plastic one next to the pond will keep others away.

Here's one:

http://www.cdaquatics.co.uk/plastic-heron-p-853.html

Froglet

I think that depends on the heron! In theory, yes,but i have seen one standing at my pond just a few feet away from my plastic one(which is here for decoration only now!!)

devildog

I will agree that the plastic ones don't work!

Artytarty

Can agree that the plastic replica herons dont work. My mother has one, and she installed an automatic water squirted the senses movement. No good either. then she netted the pond, once the heron came and pecked through at the fish, they were in shreds.
She now has a small permanent perimeter fence about two and a half feet high and the net is fixed to that. Its a pain but necessary.

no1catman

Thanks for the replies.

As an update - getting up earlier for heron-watch! It has landed on top of the fence - above the pond, but didn't stay there long, my partner has seen it fly level with the rear bedroom window - about 15 ft away. But Saturday's sighting was the funniest - Heron flying in as if about to land, and then changing its mind when two gulls wing-over in pursuit, closely followed by a Magpie!!
Well it does remind me of an occaison some time ago, when we had chased it from the garden, and flew off and landed on the top of a neighboughing house - two Magpies started attacking it, at first it take any notice, but tired of their belligerence eventually flew off.

Anyway - back to my pond - I've hammered in the 'pegs' which had come out, and secured better a blue washing-line cord that is linked to the tubs, and runs the length of the pond - forming an inner rectangle under the net - supporting it at a higher level qabove the water. I may construct a couple of frames, later but happy with what I've done so far - together with the help of our 'feathered friends' hope its okay now.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Amistupid has built a framework over his pond to protect his fish - it looks really good, not industrial at all, and he says he grows a vine over it which produces grapes. If I can find the link to his photos, I'll edit this post with them....


Here you go - http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=42264634&postcount=22

no1catman

Yes, liked the link on the last one.

I did have an arrangement with a builder - he has his own pond, but unusually for him can't get hold of him!

Been getting up earlier, i.e. 'heron watch', but can get caught out - went home mid-afternoon, my partner met me at the front door we went in and what did I see about 20 ft away from window - bloody heron!

Anyway the update, is that we have installed a plastic heron - very lifelike - stuck it into a tub surrounding the pond. First day even the pigeons, sparrows, and magpies stayed away.
No heron landings, have seen one fly overhead, have noted the comments about the decoys - hence intend to move it about.

shelly

My Dad has got a huge Koi pond in his garden and keeps herons away with a plastic owl. He moves the owl around and it seems to be working, he hasn't seen a heron out there for years.
Having said that we aren't sure it's the owl keeping them away or the size of the fish as they are all huge.