Heron is ruining my summer!

[howywo]

Hello everyone,

The good news is this - my wife went outside today just as a Blue Heron landed next to my pond. The bad news is that for the first time ever, a Blue Heron has discovered my pond.

So I've netted the pond, but alas - it is horrifically ugly and totally detracts from my enjoyment of my beautiful fish!

Two questions:

1. Does anybody have a foolproof method of stringing a pond? I am very concerned that if I don't do it perfectly, that it will result in the unimaginable.

2. Has anybody ever used a Scarecrow (or two) and still had issues with the Heron? Are these an effective way of fighting this predator?

Thanks in advance!

Chris

[Nancy M.]

a 9 mil works much better

You can use fishing line hang it 12" apart going both ways length and width.

[howywo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nancy M. a 9 mil works much better You can use fishing line hang it 12" apart going both ways length and width.

Hi Nancy - how high off of the water / pond edge should the fishing line be strung? One side of my pond is raised about 24" off the ground, the other side is flat to the ground.

[RockHound]

A fairly large active dog, will keep them at bay.
Other than that, link below has a few suggestions.

PREDATORS IN YOUR POND

[bekko]

That scarecrow thing only works for a week or so. Build an aviary or lath house over the pond and make predator protection part of the landscape.

-steve

[howywo]

Quote: Originally Posted by bekko That scarecrow thing only works for a week or so. Build an aviary or lath house over the pond and make predator protection part of the landscape. -steve

Hey Steve,

Do you have any pictures of examples of either an aviary or a lath house? I'm not sure how feasible that is given the size and shape of my pond, but I'd be interested in pictures to see what others have done, maybe that would spark ideas.

A couple other questions:

1. Would interlaced wiring / fishing line over the edges of the pond where the Heron would land to feed be better than covering the entire pond with fishing line?

2. Has anybody ever installed a retractable (motorized or otherwise) net that can be easily taken on and off?

Thanks everyone,

Chris

[kntry]

How deep is your pond? Do you have shelves? This will make a difference in how you handle the situation.

Heron and Egrets have to walk up to the edge of the pond, they can't land directly on the edge.

If you string fishing line 10-12” off the ground around the edge of the pond, the birds will not be able to see it. When their legs hit the string it will scare them away. You also have to remember the line is there because you won’t be able to see. I’ve tripped over it before. LOL

Stringing the line crisscross over the pond is an option but very hard to do if you have a large pond. It also presents a problem because the reason it works is the birds usually fly into, sometimes getting caught in the line. Again, it has to be about 1’ above the water. Every time you have to net a fish or do something the pond, you’ll have to take the string down.

I had a 160 lb. Rottie and still have a 140 lb. American Bulldog. I would let the dogs out when I’d see a bird by the pond and the birds would not budge until the dogs were right on top of them. The birds would sit in a tree and as soon as the dogs went inside, they were right back at the pond.

The best defense, other than a 9mm, is to put shade sails or some type of cover over the pond so the birds can’t see it as they fly over.

Once a Heron or Egret finds your pond, they will not leave till it’s empty.

[saratogatan]

I have dogs, thaht did not help.
I have scarecrow, that did not worked either.
Some say a fake heron will do, that did not work.
the net is what worked. Fishing lie around the pond also work.

regarding heron landing on edge of pond, believe me they can do it (seen them doing it) if the pond provides the setting for them to land ( in a hop or 2).

stan

[howywo]

Quote: Originally Posted by saratogatan regarding heron landing on edge of pond, believe me they can do it (seen them doing it) if the pond provides the setting for them to land ( in a hop or 2). stan

I'll try to take a picture of my pond today. The entire pond is kidney shaped, pretty big (10-12' x 22'), and the edge is flat capstones. The walls are straight down to over 5' of depth, there are only "ledges" in the two waterfalls that feed the pond.

Does anybody know of any company that can provide an easily retractable netting solution, automatic, powered or otherwise?

[koiboy472004]

Quote: Originally Posted by howywo Hello everyone, The good news is this - my wife went outside today just as a Blue Heron landed next to my pond. The bad news is that for the first time ever, a Blue Heron has discovered my pond. So I've netted the pond, but alas - it is horrifically ugly and totally detracts from my enjoyment of my beautiful fish! Two questions: 1. Does anybody have a foolproof method of stringing a pond? I am very concerned that if I don't do it perfectly, that it will result in the unimaginable. 2. Has anybody ever used a Scarecrow (or two) and still had issues with the Heron? Are these an effective way of fighting this predator? Thanks in advance! Chris

Quote: Originally Posted by bekko That scarecrow thing only works for a week or so. Build an aviary or lath house over the pond and make predator protection part of the landscape. -steve

HOW ABOUT TRYING THE WATER SPRAYER WITH AN EYE MOTION DETECTOR ANY PREDITOR GETS WITHIN SO MANY FEET GETS A BLAST OF WATER, THESE ARE ALSO USED TO KEEP PEST OUT OF GARDENS, THEY ARE AROUND $60.00 TO $75.00 RANGE.