1st Heron Attack in 7 Years - Lost all 28 Fish

[elizabeths]

Since I've had my goldfish pond for 7+ years without a single heron attack, I assumed that heron attacks happened to "other people", and that it just didn't and wouldn't happen to me..........

Last week I lost all 28 of my lovely goldfish. I lost the big 7" cutie that a coworker brought to me in a tiny tuperware 7 years ago. He didn't want the little 1" fish anymore. Also amongst the casualties were the goldfish we bought years ago that had turned silver, black, red and other lovely colors and patterns.

My husband's shotgun is by the door, but I don't think I'll get a chance at vengence on behalf of my little friends.

Just wanted to share.
ugh!

 

[DrDave]

Sorry to hear of your loss. It can happen to anyone. I keep mine covered at night and when we are away. When I'm home and up Mr Remington and I take care of business if they trespass and attempt to steal my Koi.

Until it happens to you, it is hard to imagine dispatching the beautiful creatures. They are not so pretty when they have your babies in their mouths.

 

[DrCase]

Sorry to here that
keep your husband on duty

 

[koiguy1969]

i can relate to your feelings and loss!

 

[PS3]

that sinks a bird got a few of my friends fish and my aunts last summer
i keep a net over my pond all year around

 

[D&RW]

Complete shame. 28. i'd be sick. My condolences and good luck with the solution.

 

[BennyLava]

I don't enjoy killing things, but unfortunately killing the herons is about all you can do. And if I have to choose between a heron that didn't cost me anything, and a large investment, then the heron's luck just ran out.

Although I do have to ask, didn't your fish have an avenue of escape? How deep is your water?

 

[MikeyToo]

How horribly frustrating. I'm curious as to your pond depth and if the heron(s) were able to walk into the pond?

 

[mountaindew]

I had the same problem here in florida.I tried the net but it made the pond look bad.What I finally did was bought the electric fence for ponds and it worked great.No more problems

 

[D&RW]

by the way, the business about a heron having to walk into a pond is a misconception. both my neighbor and I have seen the heron fly down to right over where it's going to land and drop straight down. my neighbor put the wires up around his pond and the heron just flew over it and landed in the pond.

 

[D&RW]

Also, i tried the new Garden Pond Guard 2 for awhile. It's very tricky to get adjusted right--took me about 30 minutes. Also it is very sensitive to wind and other movement. I didn't have a chance to see if it would work with the heron. I kind of think it would if you moved it around.

since my plan would be to move it almost daily, I'd be spending too much time adjusting it each time. also, my wife really hates the alarm noise it makes. bet the neighbors love it too. had to turn it off.

 

[shanezam203]

WOW, my friend was warning me about that.

My grandma suggested I got a net to protect the fish from Raccoons and Birds.

 

[hammer1320]

Where are you from elizabeths?

 

[koiguy1969]

by the way, the business about a heron having to walk into a pond is a misconception. Both my neighbor and i have seen the heron fly down to right over where it's going to land and drop straight down. My neighbor put the wires up around his pond and the heron just flew over it and landed in the pond.

its NOT a neccessity , but i think they prefer to land aways from the pond and approach slowly. Ive seen it a 1/2 dozen times, them land and circle the pond slowly creeping closer as they circle! Ive een they crouch at ponds edge and sit motionless... I watched last year to see if there was going to be a challenge for territory or mating ritual or what with my decoy....before ms. Daisy asked it(them) to leave

 

[BennyLava]

How the heck did 1 heron eat 28 fish? After he gets full shouldn't he leave? A nice pellet rifle with a scope will probly end the heron problem for a while. Until another, different heron realizes there is a pond there. Then time for the rifle again. If you are in a town, the pellet rifle is quiet enough so the neighbors can't really hear, but powerful enough to get the job done. For me, a .22 rifle works well enough, as I live out of city limits. Herons are big birds and once you eliminate a few from your area, it generally takes a while before you start seeing them again near your house. At least, this has been my experience.