Spooked fish after heron attack

[kpounds81]

We had 11 goldfish at the end of winter this year, and right after Ice melted at the beginning of March, all the fish had survived the freeze and then a heron shows up. He got 5 the first day. Came back another time when I didn't notice and got 3 more. I had 3 left when I was planning to expand our pond a little and add a few koi. Once I expanded it, and recycled the pond and added the 3 back, I saw him again!! He got one more fish. I tried a decoy heron, but that did absolutely nothing. I then got a motion activated sprinkler, and that seems to have done the trick. I heard it go off several times for a few mornings here and there as I was waking up, just to look outside in time to see him flying away with no fish. I haven't seen him in over 2 weeks now so I've decided to go ahead and add koi and a few more gold fish. Hopefully he knows he can't snack here anymore! However, the 2 original goldfish I have left are still spooked most of the time... sometimes it spooks the koi too just because of the way the goldfish act. They seem to be getting better... I hope... they weren't always this scared...

 

[Tula]

Could you secure your pond with a net? There are lots of ways to do it and it'll protect your fish from herons.

 

[mrsclem]

@kpounds81 - how big is your pond? I ask because you said you added koi. Netting is the only way to keep big bird out.

 

[Mmathis]

@kpounds81 This is an old thread. You might have better results if you started a separate, new thread.

Hello and welcome, BTW.

 

[kpounds81]

Yeah, I saw I was old after I posted it. I guess I was just sharing my experience. I'm new here, as I guess you noticed :-D

 

[addy1]

Yeah, I saw I was old after I posted it. I guess I was just sharing my experience. I'm new here, as I guess you noticed :-D

Welcome to our forum! I moved your post for you

I have a wide weave net over our pond, 4 inch holes hung around 3ish feet over the pond, draping down so the heron can't walk in.

 

[j.w]

@kpounds81
I have a wide weave net over my pond similar to what @addy1 has and no problems w/the heron since I put it up. Your scarecrow sounds like it is working but keep in mind that it will not work in freezing weather and the heron will be back then. Hopefully you live in a warmer climate where you can use it year round. If not it is netting time at least in the winter.

 

[tallguard]

Hi All,

I've tried all sorts of deterrents and hasn't helped much.

I've been developing my own smart deterrent, something that would notify me whilst screaming at the heron.

I've attached an example of the detection.

Example of my prototype on YouTube

Finally I think I'm winning against the heron!

Thanks