Posted on 09/03/2004 5:48:01 PM PDT by Pukin Dog
Heron are smart. We have heron and egrits in our neighborhood, and they will return to where they find food.
When my son was young, he would feed an egrit that would come to our yard everyday at the same time. The bird was sooo tame, he would walk right into our house.
Don't put any fish back in the pond for awhile. The heron will come looking and when he gets the idea there's no food there, he'll move on and find another feeding ground.
When you do put fish back in the pond, try a couple strands of monofilament strung across the pond.
Definately try fishing line, or get some twine and string some empty soda cans with loose change in it across the pond. They'll go away with the nuisance (we hope).
Sorry that was a HUGH Blue Heron.
I would love to see one. I live on the bayou in Houston and see White herons. I love them. But, I love Koi too. can't we all just get along.
with a series eating problem
It's sitting on top of your house? Why in the hell don't you just shoot the thing?
Vey series.
I own a 20ac nursery & garden center in York, PA, and have the same problem with several ponds, which the blue herons frequent.
It's a federal offense to shoot them, as much as I'd like to, with my Remy 870 Express Synthetic 18" Tactical 12ga.
Heck, I don't begrudge them a meal, but if they'd notify me that they're coming for dinner, I'd buy some mullet for them and lay-out a feast.
I use 1" sq netting to discourage them, rubber snakes, and Pickle The One-Eyed Cat (20lbs). So far, it's working.
Failing that, SSS™.
I like the deeper water idea, except that if it's windy in your area, simply ask JF'nK to wind surf on your pond 24/7. Blue Herons and horses are deadly enemies. Think this would work better than wire or dogs.
Don't do anything to the bird or act like you are doing it.
If California Fish and Game even catches you with a feather from that bird or his cousins, you will be a sad guy.
Put a bird net over the pond with the next fish.
A Google search turns up some websites that say the Great Blue Heron is endangered and others that say it is not; however, it is migratory and is quite likely protected for that reason if for no other. The netting suggested by some to deny the bird access to your fish might be the cheapest solution in the long run.
Then you must do something that will make your pond less attractive. Placing a net is a 'possibility', however I see 2 problems with that.
1). Bird lands on netting, netting sinks, fish pinned between net and pond bottom. Bird simply takes small bites and eats Sushi in small bites
2). Net holds weight of bird, the netting isn't small enough that the bird cannot peck through; fish get eaten in pieces rather can swallowed whole. Or, fish is wounded, dies and floats and is eaten leisurely later.
Alternatively, do something to make your 'feeding station' less attractive to the Herons (they have already learned about the good grazing). Fill bottom of pond with sharp objects, they won't bother the fish, but will cause the heron pain to step on. Alternatively, if the bird has little to no cover; natural paranoia may make the bird feel too exposed to continue hunting.
You could always try to find freshwater puffer fish (fugu).
A lab would be good. However, some of them will dive for fish.
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