Heron Defense

[kaarl]

The nylon strings and dual automated sprinkler have apparently kept herons (and humans) away from the pond for several weeks now. Please wish my fishies luck!

 

[GaryMoz]

The nylon strings and dual automated sprinkler have apparently kept herons (and humans) away from the pond for several weeks now. Please wish my fishies luck!

I was going down the nylon string route.

But so far with my new pond I've had Herons investigate it and had a look at taking fish, but so far all good,.
The pond is 5' deep with vertical sides, so when the Heron lands, the fish just go down deep. So I will keep watching and hoping I don't need to put the line up

 

[BobDE]

I feel your pain. This was my year for fighting the Heron! He was relentless. My pond looked nasty with all of the netting and the sprinkler to deal with. Hopefully he will move on!

 

[kaarl]

My pond depth is more than 5' in the center with a 18" shelf around the vertical sides for planting. The fish do dive or hide in the plants when disturbed by motion, however I suspect the patient heron stands absolutely still staring at his smart phone until the fish forget he's there. I've had them eat $500 worth of 6" koi in two days. Previously the only solution was to buy adolescent fish more than about 13" long. And I read that sometimes the herons will poke holes in those just for spite. And I'm even more dangerous, leaving the city chloraminated water on over-night. (That's *finally* solved with a mechanical shut off timer.)

 

[j.w]

The heron will never give up! They will come back when you think they are gone..............oh yes I know! They can even regurgitate food into the water to tempt your fish w/food! I have a high net up on stakes and short fence at the bottom where the net is hooked to it. Fort Knox now, ha, ha heron all you can do is come by for a looksee! He tries to stick his neck as far as he can but it won't reach!

 

[kaarl]

I guess I'll need to build another Fort Knox. I can''t sit by the pond all day with a gun... < 8 )