So... This happened

[timvz]

One fish gone. Another with a gaping hole in his back. Holy fish seems ok after a week. Still behaves normally. Hope he survives. A scarecrow is going in this weekend. Good water pressure so hopefully it will be effective.

I'm just wondering what did it. Maybe a hawk that didn't get a good enough hold. We do have some hawks in the area.

 

[addy1]

I finally gave up with everything except a wide weave net hanging around 3-4 feet over the pond. Nothing else stopped the heron.

Hope your fish survives.

 

[addy1]

Well our total ice covering is doing a good job right now..............

 

[j.w]

I have a friend who has koi near me that uses the scarecrows and they work as long as she has every angle covered otherwise they will sneak in at the weak points. I am happy using my raised netting.

 

[callingcolleen1]

if it is the big blue heron, you can block his landing path, as they are big winged birds and need lots of space to land. I have my ponds in between my house and some big trees. I strung twine high over the pond, above my head, and cross the twine back and forth just a few times, between the house and the trees, and then hang strips of cloth to dangle in the wind. I did that the first time I figured out it was a big blue heron when I saw him standing there fishing out all my goldfish a few years back. Now I have replaced the strips of cloth with pretty handing solar lights. Very effective method against the bad blue heron, and he has never been back!

 

[waynefrcan]

I think I have hawks going after fish as well. Last year I had one big koi go missing and that's it.

Just yesterday I saw fish scales in the grass 2' from the water. I looked for the koi with those same yellow white scales and sure enough missing damaged scales and slight wound. I'm thinking it went for the kill and missed but had scales stuck to it's legs that came off after landing in the grass.

What you guys think?

 

[Meyer Jordan]

A raptor would not land on the grass next to the pond, but would return to a high vantage point to re-group. Sounds like a raccoon.

 

[waynefrcan]

We don't have raccoons in this part of Canada. I saw a hawk circling over close to my house.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Mink?

 

[waynefrcan]

No minks either, whats weird is the scales were 2 ft from the water but the fish is alive.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

That's why I was thinking 4-legged predator. It got a mouthful of only scales and slime coat when the fish apparently thrashed free. What other 4-legged predators are native to your area?

 

[waynefrcan]

Ground hogs lol

Also have a 6 ft fence with the pickets at ground level. No big animals will get it unless they dig and I see no digging.

 

[HARO]

No raccoons? Where in the country ARE you? I may be moving!!
John

 

[waynefrcan]

Edmonton, I lived here all my life and never heard of them here.

Edit, just did a google search and looks like some have been spotted at times.

The yard and garden are untouched so I doubt a coon.

Either a hawk or Heron. I'm leaning towards the hawk flying over head.

I have 2 scarecrow sprinklers that are up now. Might not help if a hawk comes swooping down.

 

[MitchM]

Bobcat?
Calgary's got them.