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	Oh no! The herons are here!.
LMuha Mega Fish Posts: 908 Kudos: 1144 Votes: 183 Registered: 17-Mar-2003	While brushing my teeth yesterday, I happened to look out the window. There, perched majestically on the roof, eyeing my fishpond and licking his chops (figuratively speaking!), was a blue heron. This is the first one we've had in four years of keeping outdoor fish. I went running outside and the heron flapped away. I then threw a net over the pond (much to the bewilderment of fish and frogs). But I'm sure he'll be back, now that he knows he can get dinner here. Anyone had any success keeping herons away with anything other than nets or grates across the water surface?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22
SheKoi Fish Addict Posts: 667 Kudos: 553 Votes: 4 Registered: 11-Feb-2004	i've had problems with herons in the past, i used netting for years but got sick of not being able to see the fish properly. i decided to try a small fence and fishing line, it's been up now for 2-3months can't really remember, but i haven't lost a single fish, 'touch wood'. My pond www.blooming-brilliant.co.uk
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22
alibukinah Hobbyist Posts: 66 Kudos: 53 Votes: 0 Registered: 24-Mar-2004	I don't have outdoor fish, but I DO get herons. They sit on the roof of my house and crap on it... and our water supply comes from the roof, so you can imagine I am REALLY pleased to have them there... I think the only thing that puts them off is our dog (who would probably think they were more chickens and ignore them anyway) but we haven't been able to get rid of them completely. Ali
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22
LMuha Mega Fish Posts: 908 Kudos: 1144 Votes: 183 Registered: 17-Mar-2003	Hmmmm ... a fence would also keep out our new retriever puppy, who seems to view the pond as his own personal swimming pool!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22
fish1 Banned Posts: 1727 Kudos: 1910 Votes: 58 Registered: 09-May-2004	get out the shotgun!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22
koi keeper Moderator Posts: 3203 Kudos: 2033 Votes: 240 Registered: 29-Dec-2001	I have motion detectors setup on my ponds in ga It senses motion and sends a blast of water at the bird. Haven't had a single problem after setting those up. Widely available from pond suppliers. Koi Empty chairs at empty tables, the room silent, forlorn.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22
LMuha Mega Fish Posts: 908 Kudos: 1144 Votes: 183 Registered: 17-Mar-2003	Hey Koi, Does it also send a blast of water at you????? [span class="edited"][Edited by lmuha 2004-07-30 05:03][/span]
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22
fish_dude Big Fish Posts: 334 Kudos: 231 Votes: 2 Registered: 21-Jun-2002	You can also get a fake owl and that kept our heron away that was eating our fish
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22
Dolf Enthusiast Posts: 203 Kudos: 180 Votes: 46 Registered: 09-May-2004	I use an electric dog fence around my pond. Easy to use, it consists of aluminum wire run on plastic poles. The wire connects to a cycling transformer. Not only does it work on dogs, it keeps the big birds away as well as the nieghborhood cats. Just got to make sure to turn it off when working on the pond. Bzzz!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22
terranova Fish Master Posts: 1984 Kudos: 1889 Votes: 229 Registered: 09-Jul-2003	I had a close encounter with a heron the other day, here's his pic: http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/flippinlee143/detail?.dir=/66dc&.dnm=b426.jpg -Formerly known as the Ferretfish
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22
SheKoi Fish Addict Posts: 667 Kudos: 553 Votes: 4 Registered: 11-Feb-2004	LMuha have you decided what to do to stop the herons yet? nice picture of a heron there. it looks very dark, ones round here have more white and look more blue. could be a yound one maybe. www.blooming-brilliant.co.uk
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22
LMuha Mega Fish Posts: 908 Kudos: 1144 Votes: 183 Registered: 17-Mar-2003	I threw netting over the pond until I can find a more permanent solution. It's draped over arched PVC pipe so it doesn't touch the water. I'm considering Koi's suggestion of motion detectors, but haven't looked at/priced any yet. Only problem with the net (aside from the fact that it's ugly) is that the zillions of frogs in our pond keep getting tangled in it, and we have to keep rescuing them.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22


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