Evidence of the pirate trying to take my fish

[GaryMoz]

The first time we have caught the heron on film, it's a one footed pirate. I think since we made the fence we haven't lose any, but the water is green and we can't easily tell, but I hope it is working

 

[Lisak1]

Well he’s adapted well to his situation!

 

[GaryMoz]

Well he’s adapted well to his situation!

I don't want he adapting to my pond

 

[jgrandmont]

Coincidentally, we also had a visit from a heron this morning. Upon opening the curtains of the window that overlooks the backyard pond, I noticed a big, blueish object on one side. Sure enough, it was a heron trying to figure out how to get past the netting and have a nice breakfast of goldfish. This is the first time we've actually seen a heron at the pond. We lost a couple of fish several years ago and, figuring it was due to a heron, added the netting. Beautiful birds... when they're not trying to steal your fish.

 

[addy1]

I fought them for years. . Daily visits.

Have some great pictures of them going after the fish. Flying etc.

We have a rookery near us. Within 10 miles.

Since I netted they quit coming after about 4 months of trying. Still fly over and look down.

Just saw a night heron. It did a drop by.

 

[GBBUDD]

I know it's not what you want but I would do the wide mesh over the pond but im talking like at 10 feet or more. And drspe the net down over the back and side. As to coming up on the deck I'd make a set up where I can pull backnthe net easily so when I cam out it would be a quick easy step to open it up.

 

[GaryMoz]

I know it's not what you want but I would do the wide mesh over the pond but im talking like at 10 feet or more. And drspe the net down over the back and side. As to coming up on the deck I'd make a set up where I can pull backnthe net easily so when I cam out it would be a quick easy step to open it up.

A net will be my fallback if the fence proves not to work. It did seem to work this time, peg leg just walked around the outside

 

[GBBUDD]

It should do the job. So long as there's at least 24 to 36 inches between your fish and the bird

 

[addy1]

Lol I had a fence, bird just flew into the pond. Had fishing line over pond, bird flew in wiggled through the lines.

Net stopped it. I can pull it back when needed.

 

[GaryMoz]

Lol I had a fence, bird just flew into the pond. Had fishing line over pond, bird flew in wiggled through the lines.

Net stopped it. I can pull it back when needed.

They are intelligent birds too intelligent


Pond has straight sides and 5' deep with no shallow areas, so other than ducks, it should be ok

 

[GBBUDD]

They are intelligent birds too intelligent


Pond has straight sides and 5' deep with no shallow areas, so other than ducks, it should be ok

Like yeah said they are too smart. I have actualy seen heron bring up there last meal and chum the water. Very intelligent birds.

 

[addy1]

They are intelligent birds too intelligent


Pond has straight sides and 5' deep with no shallow areas, so other than ducks, it should be ok

Lol my pond is 5.5 feet deep, straight sides except at one end. Which I kept blocked from them. Still landed, floated, walked balanced on the edge.

Therefore net, draped to the ground

 

[permaculturebob]

I have had numerous run ins with heron,, first in my wild clay ponds, and when I put in my liner koi ponds I already had a fair amount of experience. statues and tripping wires, scarecrows, vigilance and finding visiting times (waiting in the woods at 5 am, watching it land and jumping out at it. . now i have several wires - just old co axial wire, electric fence tape, even some bailing wire . strung at uneven angles several feet over my head, just from one tree to another. like an uneven grid, 5- 10 feet apart.
One heron had visited when I only had a couple wires up and when I surprised it it caught it's wing temporarily on a wire making its getaway not so easy. Since then I've added wires and have seen that same bird flying high over without stopping, or visiting my catfish pond where I simply let him fish, it's big with wide shallows, frogs, snakes and the occasional catfish that are simply replenishing themselves so far.
I know it's likely different in more urban settings, but if they only get trouble and never get to eat they will leave it alone, but once fed they will keep trying.

 

[addy1]

They still fly over pause in the air look down and keep going.

The smaller herons have stopped by, land in the trees then leave.

 

[j.w]

and welcome @permaculturebob