Posted on 09/03/2004 5:48:01 PM PDT by Pukin Dog
I hate to break up this big news day with a personal request, but I need some advice from anyone who knows about how to prevent a Blue Heron from attacking my Koi pond?
I just arrived home to find this HUGE Blue Heron standing in the middle of my pond, swallowing what I discovered to be the last of my (very expensive) Koi. All my fish, some costing me between $100 and $300 are gone.
The Heron just lifted off with a belly full of fish; an amazing site, as this thing had to have a 6'ft wing span, and is now sitting on the roof of my house. My guess is that the Frogs are next?
I live in Mira Mesa, jogging distance to MCAS Miramar. What the hell is a bird like that doing out here anyway? Suggestions are welcome.
Yeah my dad had the same problem...he just gave up.
My parents live on the GA coast and have a lot of herons in the neighborhood. They say that chicken wire or stock fence netting across the surface of the pond will keep the herons out. If you get the dark plastic coated chicken wire and place it just on or above the surface, it shouldn't show too badly.
nice homeless noist mutt = nice homeless noisy mutt
I am pinging someone who has a pond and may have other suggestions.
Buy a big pukin' dog.
For gosh sakes, don't shoot the thing. A friend tells me they taste like river mud and are totally unsuitable for the table.
That's what I thought....can't shoot it, you'll end up in a Federal Pen....looks like you have a new pet.
If the huge beast wants to eat the French next I wouldn't stop him.
I've heard of this complaint from many other people.
What you have, is an attractive feeding area. The heron doesn't need to hunt, the fish can't really escape. They are big, and juicy, and are nicely plump. They are also re-stocked on a regular basis.
Think of it as a vending machine that gives away free food. It's going to attract every hungry person within miles.
I would consider buying a dog, as the dog will have little interest in Koi, the dog will be territorial, and there is this little added bonus.
If YOU shoot a Blue Heron, depending upon the county and the endangered species acts, plus any firearms codes; your butt could be placed in a sling.
However, if your dog EATS a Blue Heron ..... well, dogs will be dogs.....
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-8247.html
Google has a lot of hits for others with the same problem.
http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&c2coff=1&q=%22Blue+Heron%22+KOI
Should have taken a picture and had it framed. I wouldn't buy any more Koi. Your pond is now on the Heron Restraunt list.
I use a big plastic owl next to my pond. Never lost any koi. I'm not a naturalist, however, I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night!
1. Screen over pond.
2. Shoot, shovel and shut-up.
3. Cheaper fish.
Somehow, some way it must be Dick Cheney's fault.
Just damn.
If you want on the list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...
Sounds like yours might be bigger than the one around here a few years back. I watched this one snag 10" dia turtles from the shallows of a huge detention pond, fly over the spillway and drop the turtles on the rip-rap stones, box lunch. Wished that I'd brought the camera that agternoon.
ps Do you post on the SCORRS wire?
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