First predator visit

[toadfarm]

This morning a Great Blue landed and as quick as it landed it got spooked and took off. Not sure what spooked it.

I covered the whole pond in a bird netting used for fruit trees. Do you think that is enough?

 

[DrCase]

Just keep one eye open

 

[j.w]

Got to make sure the bird netting is raised up off the pond a ways or the bird will still be able to stab at the fish and wound them. He may not be able to actually get them out but you don't want the fish to be stabbed or mortally wounded.

 

[toadfarm]

good point. I figured it would deter them from even trying. I may have to improvise.

 

[jagan314]

Those birds are brutal.. Since its seen its prey.. it will be back. I stuck a white swan decoy at my pond. It never returned. (prior, it came back 3 times early morning) I lost 2 fish... and the ones that got away safe were spooked for days.

 

[toadfarm]

I've heard that a Heron decoy works also. They're territorial birds. Did you attract other swans to visit?

 

[taherrmann4]

I had one visiting early this summer and I just scared it several times and has not been back that I know of.

 

[j.w]

I haven't even seen one this summer at all but I have that radio on during daylight hours right near the pond on my covered porch.

 

[koiguy1969]

acouple of shots in the @$$ with a BB / pellet gun seems to keep them away as well...i know of three in my area. theyve all visited in the past. i still see them in the creek nearby hunting and flying around the area but they dont stop here any more. and i see them every day!! over 2 years (3 pond seasons) since theyve been in my yard!....JUNE OF 2009 to be exact.

 

[toadfarm]

I haven't seen him since the first visit which was very brief. We have a stone buddha statue at the waterfall; maybe he was spooked by the little fat guy.

 

[addy1]

Hey if that works great! now need it to speak if one lands.

 

[taherrmann4]

My buddha does not seem to have the special power of keeping away predators. Last year I had a hawk land on his head and stay there for a few minutes while he scoped out the fish below. The frogs used to climb on him and sit in his hands.

 

[j.w]

Hey a motion activated speaker near the buddha I bet would scare anything away!

 

[sissy]

gosh could you see him with company and the budda talked and scared them .

 

[toadfarm]

I could have him laugh like the pillsboughry dough boy when somebody rubs his belly.