19 replies to this topic

[PondJunkie]

So a while back I had a Heron visit:

http://www.gardenpon...fish-t4710.html

Today I decided to get an early start on mucking, as I've slacked off a bit over the Winter. Suddenly I see a flash of orange. I figure, "that has to be a bright leaf". I continue mucking, when the leaf moves in away that leaves generally don't. Sure enough, I have one lone survivor from the Great Heron Massacre of 2009!

I decided to stop mucking after this, combine with the discovery of a tadpole in some of the muck I pulled out that was nearly as big as my thumb.

Life is amazing sometimes.

Off to the local mega-depot to get some netting supplies. Between that & the dogs, that &@#$ing heron shouldn't stand a chance.

[j.w]

So far.............knock on a lily pad............I have been successful at keeping the bird at bay. I have a wire fence around the pond and then I have poles w/ fish line a bit higher than the fence and I have silver colored mylar strips blowing in the wind along w/ wind chimes and whirly gadgets and lots of shrubbery planted along the edge and a deep sided pond so as to discourage the wading. Before I did all of this the bird used to come and snack but now I haven't seen him and I still have all my fish. If this fails in the long run I must go the nets but I just hate to do that as it ruins the look of the pond to me and the pond sits right out in front of our house next to the porch

[oldmarine]

JW,

I guess that's better than the neighbors seeing you running across the yard with broom in your hand screaming like a banchee. Good idea, whatever works right?

Happy ponding,

Rich

[j.w]

Yeah Rich if this doesn't work tho I could set up a mechanical type robot that senses when something comes near and dress it all up like me w/ large waving broom in hands and screaming voice .................what do ya think?

[koidaddy]

j.w said:

Yeah Rich if this doesn't work tho I could set up a mechanical type robot that senses when something comes near and dress it all up like me w/ large waving broom in hands and screaming voice .................what do ya think?

LOL. I'd buy one.

[DrCase]

Did you ever see the lady in the movie twister ?
She had a lot off spinning stuff Too

[oldmarine]

JW,

I think your onto something big. Get this patended, it could be your retirement.

Happy ponding,

Rich:regular_waving_emot

[j.w]

Let me think about this one for a minute................I think it would be cheaper if I just ran out there w/ my own broom whenever I see the darn bird

[DrDave]

I want video...

[oldmarine]

JW,

How about a trade off? Set up one of those motion sensor driveway alarms that alerts you when someone pulls into your driveway. You could aim it at your pond and adjust the sensitivity for something bigger than a cat. If your busy doing something else, you would get an intruder alert when something like a heron decides to show up when your back is turned. Just a thought.

Happy ponding,

Rich

[j.w]

You know you can't use those things in the winter as they will freeze up and that's when I need it most............when the lily pads are not covering the pond for fish to hide under. And also our pond sits right next to the path to our front door and I could just see somebody walking over to take a look at the pond and oops

[oldmarine]

JW,

I guess you have point there. I didn't know motion sensors won't work in the winter when things freeze.

Happy ponding,

Rich

[j.w]

They are run by water and hooked to your hose so if we get a freeze anything w/ water in it will freeze and it would crack the plastic and bust the hose too.

[DrDave]

I think he is talking about electronics not water. Motion sensors that are IR (infra red) work even better in cold climates since they sense heat.

Edited by DrDave, 22 February 2010 - 01:12 PM.

[j.w]

Oh I thought he was talking about those motion sensor scarecrows that shoot water when something comes near them..............Sorry Rich