Jeff G
A bird stopping by for a drink.
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2017
- Messages
- 14
- Reaction score
- 2
- Hardiness Zone
- 6b
- Country
I live in Western NY and have a ~1000 gallon, dug , unlined, goldfish pond with aerators, sprayers, filters, lights, etc. in my woods. I had dozens of frogs and about 30 goldfish of different varieties and ages that were well trained to come when I approached and offered food. My grandkids loved it! (Note that I am using past tense.)
Recently, I saw a magnificent great blue heron in one of my pine trees in the area. The next morning no fish came to greet me and beg for food. NONE! There were no frogs! NONE! On the surface of the water were a couple of bird feathers. Two of my floating plants were tipped over. I think the culprit is obvious.
I have since:
a) set up motion sensors that ring buzzers in my house
b) placed camouflaged trip wires across the areas the heron is most likely to walk across, and where it would take flight.
c) allowed the water to get cloudy
d) moved hanging plants and opened up the foliage that block the view of the pond 100 yards from my house.
A few fish are visible near the bottom about 5 ft down so the heron did not get them all.
Here's my question. Is it possible the heron was using his feathers as bait to attract the fish?
Do I need to rethink my defensive strategy?
Thanks,
Jeff
Recently, I saw a magnificent great blue heron in one of my pine trees in the area. The next morning no fish came to greet me and beg for food. NONE! There were no frogs! NONE! On the surface of the water were a couple of bird feathers. Two of my floating plants were tipped over. I think the culprit is obvious.
I have since:
a) set up motion sensors that ring buzzers in my house
b) placed camouflaged trip wires across the areas the heron is most likely to walk across, and where it would take flight.
c) allowed the water to get cloudy
d) moved hanging plants and opened up the foliage that block the view of the pond 100 yards from my house.
A few fish are visible near the bottom about 5 ft down so the heron did not get them all.
Here's my question. Is it possible the heron was using his feathers as bait to attract the fish?
Do I need to rethink my defensive strategy?
Thanks,
Jeff