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| Mr Heron returned a few days ago and I took steps to deter it. It may have been around for a while but only recently saw in on our roof. I did a little research and decided to bild a frame work of 2 X 2s around the pond and then I strung 60# test fishing line around the pond in a grid pattern. So, now I will see what happens next. I think he took several gold fish so I restocked a bunch from the local pet store. My other pond is larger and deeper - about 3 feet with steep sides. Lots of hiding places on the bottem and the surface of both is covered with hyacinth. |
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| I had a bad predator year several years ago. I had herons, cormorants, and osprey looking for snacks in my pond. I strung up a twine grid, but truthfully I think the osprey and cormorants just moved on anyway. The other thing I did was put up a lifesized plastic heron by the pond. The twine grid has come down, but the heron still stands guard. I haven't seen a real heron since then. I am enough of a scientist to not conclude that the fake heron caused the real herons to stay away, but I certainly think it is possible. It is worth a try. I also put some deer whistles on my old van decades ago, and haven't hit a deer since then even though the whistles feel off a few years later. Actually, I don't even have the old van anymore, but the new van hasn't hit any deer either. |
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| I've seen many blue heron while kayaking local lakes. They are always single, so I guess one heron will deter another from invading its territory. That is unless the invading heron is larger. That may be a problem with a fake heron that is smaller then the real one. It might actually attract a larger heron. My hyacinth was a victim of frost, but my pond is currently covered by nylon netting to hold back the falling leaves. I've often wondered what would happen to a heron that attempted to enter the netting. I don't think it would be a good experience for the bird. |
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| Hi Living in florida means water birds galore lol The worst for my ponds were green or night herons. Only thing spared were fish over 6 inches they were dispatched by anhingas great herons and ospreys lol. I switched over to tropical fish. While I still feed a lot of water birds they breed faster than can be eaten. Then I only have to worry about a hard frost lol. I have steep sides down to 3 feet lots of surface plants. Mostly works but I have found predators almost impossible to control. I usually found when one type seemed under control another type showed up. Good luck!!! gary |
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- Posted by buyorsell888 Zone 8 Portland OR (My Page) on Thu, Oct 29, 09 at 21:56
| I would remove the water hyacinth before frost turns it to mush, it makes a real mess whan that happens. I use a styrofoam planter with evergreen plants in it for my fish to have some cover during winter. I still lost most of them a couple years ago after ten years. I don't know if it was a kingfisher or a heron. I've never seen a heron in my yard but I have seen kingfishers. I've seen a kingfisher swoop down and grab a six inch fish. I have an electric fence for raccoons and it works very well but doesn't work on birds that might swoop in or fly into the water. |
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