Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

I looked out my window this morning just in time to see this big grey ready
to dine. I scared him off but I think he scared me more. He took off down
the road and looked twice as big as when he was sitting. Ugly thing! I tried
to count my fish but they are in hiding. I have preforms (18" depth) so they
can't go deep to escape. I have plants and rocks built up for hiding, this
as a precaution because I had previously lost 9 fish about a month ago. I
thought it was a raccoon since I live in the woods, but I caught the beast
red handed this morning. I immediately covered the ponds with netting I had
around to keep birds out of my grapes. The problem now is he knows where we
are now. I want to enjoy the ponds not make a fortress out of it. I have
read that one can clean you out in one visit. I have determined to go to
rubber liner and dig to at least 3 ft straight down. I did not have this in
the first place because I have a water dog (Chesapeake Bay Retriever) with
long claws.

Any suggestions?
Joann

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

Will your dog jump into the proposed pond? Will he be able to get out? That's a
problem. What might keep a heron out may not give your dog the chance to get
out. We have two 'shelf' areas built in to our pond and we've had a total of
four different dogs end up on the pond all by accident. Everyone got out okay.
I'll post the long version of the heron tips if you have not seen them.
Hopefully one of them can help you with your problem.


So far the most effective heron foilers for rec.ponders are
1) An electric fence, try the Fido Fence sold at large pet superstores.
2) Fishing wire strung around the pond a few inches off the ground to causing
the heron frustration on where to put his feet.
3) A plastic fish, called a heron scarer, anchored on the bottom and floating
below the surface, the heron grabs for it and is scared when the fish fights
back. It also gives the resident fish time to hide.
4) Dogs who spend their daylight hours outside - only problem is black capped
night herons will feed in the middle of the night. When the dogs did the Full
Dog Alert at our house the heron waited until I opened the deck slider before
he took off.
5) Call your local Fish and Wildlife office and sob over the phone and see what
they suggest. Do not attempt to kill, maim or harm a heron without official
permission. They are protected under the Migratory Bird Act. A
HREF="http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/intrnltr/mbta/mbtandx.html"http://mig
ratorybirds.fws.gov/intrnltr/mbta/mbtandx.html/A
click on the 'H' But just because they are protected as migratory birds don't
count on your heron migrating.... some herons maintain year round colonies.
5a) If you think shooting herons is the answer or you are just channeling your
inner redneck -- don't post your name and email address on the internet stating
that fact - a fish and wildlife agent can pay you a social call.
6) Netting the pond really, really, really well..... and realizing that some
herons (green heron) can wiggle under nets.
7) A Scarecrow motion detector sprinkler. Two units used in a '90 degree
crossfire' substantially improves overall efficiency
8) A heron decoy. Large plastic fake herons that trick the real heron into
thinking your pond is occupied. Possible problem is a heron's feeding territory
in times of abundant food is only a few yards wide. And juvenile herons like to
feed in groups. Think of teenagers going to the mall. And finally, a male heron
was once spotted courting a fake heron decoy with offerings of dead goldfish
and frogs from the heron decoy owner's pond.
9) Fake alligators. Can work unless you have a year round colony of herons that
never fly south and don't know an alligator from a lazy labrador. Fake
alligators have also been known give meter readers the heebie jeebies.
10) A floating plastic snake (same caution about the meter reader).
11) Paintball warfare .... hmmm, we are not sure on this one. If owning a
feather from a bird of prey is a crime then knocking one off a heron may be
frowned upon. So don't knock any feathers off your heron if you splat him with
paint...
12) Lay mouse traps around on the ground....upside down!!
13) From England "The time to stop them then is before they land. They have
such large wings that sudden stops or changes of direction are out of the
question, meaning, that if the obstacle is in the air, they are unable to fly
around it. Lengths of wire (or rot-proof strong string) stretched from roof
height on the house to a high point at the rear of the garden, completely over
the
pond. The wire should be about one metre from the adjacent piece."
14) From Thomas Seminazzi "I rigged up a "heron-scare" to deter him. I wired a
bathroom vent fan to a motion sensor, and set the sensor to TEST mode so it
would go off day ornight. A got a bundle of those colorful mylar streamers
little girls put on their bike handles and attached them to the output of the
fan. The fan is hidden under my deck, but if something trips the sensor, the
streamers start
flapping all over the place...like an anemone reaching out for prey."
15) A recent addition: feed your fish sinking food and they won't be
conditioned to come to the
surface when something blurry shows up at the edge of the pond.

Rec.ponders do not recommend
1) Driving your SUV through the rock garden after arriving home to find the
heron in the pond in order to scare him off.
2) Hiding in the bushes, grabbing the heron by the neck and ending up getting
lots of stitches in the ER. Their beaks are very sharp and powerful.
3) Leaping out of the shower and running into the backyard, naked, screaming at
the heron.
4) Dropping on all fours and barking like a dog at a particularly aggressive
heron.
5) Attempting to shoot the heron, lasso the heron, skewer the heron, verbally
abuse the heron, make fun of the heron or ruffle the heron's feathers in any
manner. Refer to the Migratory Bird Act - fines and jail stays cut in on pond
dollars and pond time.

[The above suggestions have actually happened and were responsible in removing
the heron for a period of time. Rec.ponders find them lacking in dignity and
therefore do not recommend them. We must remain dignified, if only to keep our
spouses from having us committed.]



k30a

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

Thanks

No I have not seen the tips I am new to this group.

At this point I don't know if I should even try if the Heron keep coming
back. I enjoy the fish and the water but it is so upsetting to see your fish
disappear.

"K30a" wrote in message
...
Will your dog jump into the proposed pond? Will he be able to get out?
That's a
problem. What might keep a heron out may not give your dog the chance to
get
out. We have two 'shelf' areas built in to our pond and we've had a total
of
four different dogs end up on the pond all by accident. Everyone got out
okay.
I'll post the long version of the heron tips if you have not seen them.
Hopefully one of them can help you with your problem.


So far the most effective heron foilers for rec.ponders are
1) An electric fence, try the Fido Fence sold at large pet superstores.
2) Fishing wire strung around the pond a few inches off the ground to
causing
the heron frustration on where to put his feet.
3) A plastic fish, called a heron scarer, anchored on the bottom and
floating
below the surface, the heron grabs for it and is scared when the fish
fights
back. It also gives the resident fish time to hide.
4) Dogs who spend their daylight hours outside - only problem is black
capped
night herons will feed in the middle of the night. When the dogs did the
Full
Dog Alert at our house the heron waited until I opened the deck slider
before
he took off.
5) Call your local Fish and Wildlife office and sob over the phone and see
what
they suggest. Do not attempt to kill, maim or harm a heron without
official
permission. They are protected under the Migratory Bird Act. A
HREF="http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/intrnltr/mbta/mbtandx.html"http://mig
ratorybirds.fws.gov/intrnltr/mbta/mbtandx.html/A
click on the 'H' But just because they are protected as migratory birds
don't
count on your heron migrating.... some herons maintain year round
colonies.
5a) If you think shooting herons is the answer or you are just channeling
your
inner redneck -- don't post your name and email address on the internet
stating
that fact - a fish and wildlife agent can pay you a social call.
6) Netting the pond really, really, really well..... and realizing that
some
herons (green heron) can wiggle under nets.
7) A Scarecrow motion detector sprinkler. Two units used in a '90 degree
crossfire' substantially improves overall efficiency
8) A heron decoy. Large plastic fake herons that trick the real heron into
thinking your pond is occupied. Possible problem is a heron's feeding
territory
in times of abundant food is only a few yards wide. And juvenile herons
like to
feed in groups. Think of teenagers going to the mall. And finally, a male
heron
was once spotted courting a fake heron decoy with offerings of dead
goldfish
and frogs from the heron decoy owner's pond.
9) Fake alligators. Can work unless you have a year round colony of herons
that
never fly south and don't know an alligator from a lazy labrador. Fake
alligators have also been known give meter readers the heebie jeebies.
10) A floating plastic snake (same caution about the meter reader).
11) Paintball warfare .... hmmm, we are not sure on this one. If owning a
feather from a bird of prey is a crime then knocking one off a heron may
be
frowned upon. So don't knock any feathers off your heron if you splat him
with
paint...
12) Lay mouse traps around on the ground....upside down!!
13) From England "The time to stop them then is before they land. They
have
such large wings that sudden stops or changes of direction are out of the
question, meaning, that if the obstacle is in the air, they are unable to
fly
around it. Lengths of wire (or rot-proof strong string) stretched from
roof
height on the house to a high point at the rear of the garden, completely
over
the
pond. The wire should be about one metre from the adjacent piece."
14) From Thomas Seminazzi "I rigged up a "heron-scare" to deter him. I
wired a
bathroom vent fan to a motion sensor, and set the sensor to TEST mode so
it
would go off day ornight. A got a bundle of those colorful mylar streamers
little girls put on their bike handles and attached them to the output of
the
fan. The fan is hidden under my deck, but if something trips the sensor,
the
streamers start
flapping all over the place...like an anemone reaching out for prey."
15) A recent addition: feed your fish sinking food and they won't be
conditioned to come to the
surface when something blurry shows up at the edge of the pond.

Rec.ponders do not recommend
1) Driving your SUV through the rock garden after arriving home to find
the
heron in the pond in order to scare him off.
2) Hiding in the bushes, grabbing the heron by the neck and ending up
getting
lots of stitches in the ER. Their beaks are very sharp and powerful.
3) Leaping out of the shower and running into the backyard, naked,
screaming at
the heron.
4) Dropping on all fours and barking like a dog at a particularly
aggressive
heron.
5) Attempting to shoot the heron, lasso the heron, skewer the heron,
verbally
abuse the heron, make fun of the heron or ruffle the heron's feathers in
any
manner. Refer to the Migratory Bird Act - fines and jail stays cut in on
pond
dollars and pond time.

[The above suggestions have actually happened and were responsible in
removing
the heron for a period of time. Rec.ponders find them lacking in dignity
and
therefore do not recommend them. We must remain dignified, if only to keep
our
spouses from having us committed.]



k30a

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

I just gave in and made a jail out of mine. I had this 3 inch expanded metal
sheets laser cut and welded to form to the top of the pool with
reinforcements. It sits on a ledge I built all around the inside 4 inches
under the water. The small fish come and go through the metal. I cut several
holes for large flower pots to sit in and found that they worked great for
larger fish to come up to surface so now use shallow pots for plants and
leave the holes open. About a month ago a blue heron paid us a call and i
watched as he walked around on the metal but couldn't figure out how to get
the fish. He left and to my knowledge has never been back.
"FBCS" wrote in message
...
I looked out my window this morning just in time to see this big grey
ready
to dine. I scared him off but I think he scared me more. He took off down
the road and looked twice as big as when he was sitting. Ugly thing! I
tried
to count my fish but they are in hiding. I have preforms (18" depth) so
they
can't go deep to escape. I have plants and rocks built up for hiding,
this
as a precaution because I had previously lost 9 fish about a month ago. I
thought it was a raccoon since I live in the woods, but I caught the beast
red handed this morning. I immediately covered the ponds with netting I
had
around to keep birds out of my grapes. The problem now is he knows where
we
are now. I want to enjoy the ponds not make a fortress out of it. I have
read that one can clean you out in one visit. I have determined to go to
rubber liner and dig to at least 3 ft straight down. I did not have this
in
the first place because I have a water dog (Chesapeake Bay Retriever) with
long claws.

Any suggestions?
Joann

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

Joann, I keep my netted. I raither have it netted than have all my fish
disappear.The net I have though you can still see the fish and everything
though it. You can not even tell its netted until you get right up on it.
You can see a pic of my pond here, and you can click on the picture and see
a video of it.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jmccul...Pondvideo.html
Priss



"John Holiday" wrote in message
...
I just gave in and made a jail out of mine. I had this 3 inch expanded
metal
sheets laser cut and welded to form to the top of the pool with
reinforcements. It sits on a ledge I built all around the inside 4 inches
under the water. The small fish come and go through the metal. I cut
several
holes for large flower pots to sit in and found that they worked great for
larger fish to come up to surface so now use shallow pots for plants and
leave the holes open. About a month ago a blue heron paid us a call and i
watched as he walked around on the metal but couldn't figure out how to
get
the fish. He left and to my knowledge has never been back.
"FBCS" wrote in message
...
I looked out my window this morning just in time to see this big grey
ready
to dine. I scared him off but I think he scared me more. He took off
down
the road and looked twice as big as when he was sitting. Ugly thing! I
tried
to count my fish but they are in hiding. I have preforms (18" depth) so
they
can't go deep to escape. I have plants and rocks built up for hiding,
this
as a precaution because I had previously lost 9 fish about a month ago.
I
thought it was a raccoon since I live in the woods, but I caught the
beast
red handed this morning. I immediately covered the ponds with netting I
had
around to keep birds out of my grapes. The problem now is he knows
where
we
are now. I want to enjoy the ponds not make a fortress out of it. I have
read that one can clean you out in one visit. I have determined to go to
rubber liner and dig to at least 3 ft straight down. I did not have this
in
the first place because I have a water dog (Chesapeake Bay Retriever)
with
long claws.

Any suggestions?
Joann

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

Very nice Priss.
Is the netting clear, how heavy is it and have you ever had a visit from the
big grey demon. How deep is your pond? I see you have plants growing, are
they growing through the netting?

"Priscilla McCullough" wrote in message
...
Joann, I keep my netted. I raither have it netted than have all my fish
disappear.The net I have though you can still see the fish and everything
though it. You can not even tell its netted until you get right up on it.
You can see a pic of my pond here, and you can click on the picture and
see
a video of it.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jmccul...Pondvideo.html
Priss



"John Holiday" wrote in message
...
I just gave in and made a jail out of mine. I had this 3 inch expanded
metal
sheets laser cut and welded to form to the top of the pool with
reinforcements. It sits on a ledge I built all around the inside 4
inches
under the water. The small fish come and go through the metal. I cut
several
holes for large flower pots to sit in and found that they worked great
for
larger fish to come up to surface so now use shallow pots for plants and
leave the holes open. About a month ago a blue heron paid us a call and
i
watched as he walked around on the metal but couldn't figure out how to
get
the fish. He left and to my knowledge has never been back.
"FBCS" wrote in message
...
I looked out my window this morning just in time to see this big grey
ready
to dine. I scared him off but I think he scared me more. He took off
down
the road and looked twice as big as when he was sitting. Ugly thing! I
tried
to count my fish but they are in hiding. I have preforms (18" depth)
so
they
can't go deep to escape. I have plants and rocks built up for hiding,
this
as a precaution because I had previously lost 9 fish about a month
ago.
I
thought it was a raccoon since I live in the woods, but I caught the
beast
red handed this morning. I immediately covered the ponds with netting
I
had
around to keep birds out of my grapes. The problem now is he knows
where
we
are now. I want to enjoy the ponds not make a fortress out of it. I
have
read that one can clean you out in one visit. I have determined to go
to
rubber liner and dig to at least 3 ft straight down. I did not have
this
in
the first place because I have a water dog (Chesapeake Bay Retriever)
with
long claws.

Any suggestions?
Joann

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

Hi John
Do you have a picture of this?

"John Holiday" wrote in message
...
I just gave in and made a jail out of mine. I had this 3 inch expanded
metal
sheets laser cut and welded to form to the top of the pool with
reinforcements. It sits on a ledge I built all around the inside 4 inches
under the water. The small fish come and go through the metal. I cut
several
holes for large flower pots to sit in and found that they worked great for
larger fish to come up to surface so now use shallow pots for plants and
leave the holes open. About a month ago a blue heron paid us a call and i
watched as he walked around on the metal but couldn't figure out how to
get
the fish. He left and to my knowledge has never been back.
"FBCS" wrote in message
...
I looked out my window this morning just in time to see this big grey
ready
to dine. I scared him off but I think he scared me more. He took off
down
the road and looked twice as big as when he was sitting. Ugly thing! I
tried
to count my fish but they are in hiding. I have preforms (18" depth) so
they
can't go deep to escape. I have plants and rocks built up for hiding,
this
as a precaution because I had previously lost 9 fish about a month ago.
I
thought it was a raccoon since I live in the woods, but I caught the
beast
red handed this morning. I immediately covered the ponds with netting I
had
around to keep birds out of my grapes. The problem now is he knows
where
we
are now. I want to enjoy the ponds not make a fortress out of it. I have
read that one can clean you out in one visit. I have determined to go to
rubber liner and dig to at least 3 ft straight down. I did not have this
in
the first place because I have a water dog (Chesapeake Bay Retriever)
with
long claws.

Any suggestions?
Joann

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

The net is black but very thin. Its not heavy at all. Yes I have plants, but
I have the net up above the pond a couple feet so the plants have room. I
have stakes that is holding the net in place around the pond. Yeah, I had a
heron try to get to the fish but once his feet got tangled in the net he
never came back. There was another but he wasn't successful either with the
net there and just occasionally fly's by and sits on the roof of my house
for a minute or two before flying on.
The pond is 3 feet, and yes herons has got the fish in 3 feet of water. A
friend of mine has a 5ft deep pond and he has had fish taken by Herons also.
Herons just sit on the edge and snatch them. He finally netted his too.
Priss


"FBCS" wrote in message
...
Very nice Priss.
Is the netting clear, how heavy is it and have you ever had a visit from
the
big grey demon. How deep is your pond? I see you have plants growing, are
they growing through the netting?

"Priscilla McCullough" wrote in message
...
Joann, I keep my netted. I raither have it netted than have all my fish
disappear.The net I have though you can still see the fish and
everything
though it. You can not even tell its netted until you get right up on
it.
You can see a pic of my pond here, and you can click on the picture and
see
a video of it.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jmccul...Pondvideo.html
Priss



"John Holiday" wrote in message
...
I just gave in and made a jail out of mine. I had this 3 inch expanded
metal
sheets laser cut and welded to form to the top of the pool with
reinforcements. It sits on a ledge I built all around the inside 4
inches
under the water. The small fish come and go through the metal. I cut
several
holes for large flower pots to sit in and found that they worked great
for
larger fish to come up to surface so now use shallow pots for plants
and
leave the holes open. About a month ago a blue heron paid us a call
and
i
watched as he walked around on the metal but couldn't figure out how
to
get
the fish. He left and to my knowledge has never been back.
"FBCS" wrote in message
...
I looked out my window this morning just in time to see this big
grey
ready
to dine. I scared him off but I think he scared me more. He took off
down
the road and looked twice as big as when he was sitting. Ugly thing!
I
tried
to count my fish but they are in hiding. I have preforms (18" depth)
so
they
can't go deep to escape. I have plants and rocks built up for
hiding,
this
as a precaution because I had previously lost 9 fish about a month
ago.
I
thought it was a raccoon since I live in the woods, but I caught the
beast
red handed this morning. I immediately covered the ponds with
netting
I
had
around to keep birds out of my grapes. The problem now is he knows
where
we
are now. I want to enjoy the ponds not make a fortress out of it. I
have
read that one can clean you out in one visit. I have determined to
go
to
rubber liner and dig to at least 3 ft straight down. I did not have
this
in
the first place because I have a water dog (Chesapeake Bay
Retriever)
with
long claws.

Any suggestions?
Joann

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

Shoot it. Yeah there's people who will say that it's against the law but I
ask you, did the person writing the law have a pond? Probably not.

Sam

"FBCS" wrote in message
...
I looked out my window this morning just in time to see this big grey
ready
to dine. I scared him off but I think he scared me more. He took off down
the road and looked twice as big as when he was sitting. Ugly thing! I
tried
to count my fish but they are in hiding. I have preforms (18" depth) so
they
can't go deep to escape. I have plants and rocks built up for hiding,
this
as a precaution because I had previously lost 9 fish about a month ago. I
thought it was a raccoon since I live in the woods, but I caught the beast
red handed this morning. I immediately covered the ponds with netting I
had
around to keep birds out of my grapes. The problem now is he knows where
we
are now. I want to enjoy the ponds not make a fortress out of it. I have
read that one can clean you out in one visit. I have determined to go to
rubber liner and dig to at least 3 ft straight down. I did not have this
in
the first place because I have a water dog (Chesapeake Bay Retriever) with
long claws.

Any suggestions?
Joann

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

Sam wrote Shoot it. Yeah there's people who will say that it's against the
law but I
ask you, did the person writing the law have a pond? Probably not.

The law was written to keep all the herons from being slaughtered for lady's
hats after the turn of the century.
But your argument still won't *fly* in court. Didn't a couple of years ago
here. Cost the fellow his job and $5000.


k30a

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

Perfect case to wind up in the surpreme court. Obvisouly the law is
outdated.


"K30a" wrote in message
...
Sam wrote Shoot it. Yeah there's people who will say that it's against
the
law but I
ask you, did the person writing the law have a pond? Probably not.

The law was written to keep all the herons from being slaughtered for
lady's
hats after the turn of the century.
But your argument still won't *fly* in court. Didn't a couple of years ago
here. Cost the fellow his job and $5000.


k30a

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

Seriously though sometimes you just need to resort to drastic measures.

"Sam Hopkins" wrote in message
.. .
Perfect case to wind up in the surpreme court. Obvisouly the law is
outdated.


"K30a" wrote in message
...
Sam wrote Shoot it. Yeah there's people who will say that it's against
the
law but I
ask you, did the person writing the law have a pond? Probably not.

The law was written to keep all the herons from being slaughtered for
lady's
hats after the turn of the century.
But your argument still won't *fly* in court. Didn't a couple of years
ago
here. Cost the fellow his job and $5000.


k30a

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

Heron,s are territorial so the only thing thats known to keep them away is a
fake heron at the pond. They sell for about 25 dollars and up. You just have
to move it every couple weeks so the heron stays fooled.
If the heron thinks another one is there he'll stay away and choose another
spot.
Patty
"FBCS" wrote in message
...
I looked out my window this morning just in time to see this big grey
ready
to dine. I scared him off but I think he scared me more. He took off down
the road and looked twice as big as when he was sitting. Ugly thing! I
tried
to count my fish but they are in hiding. I have preforms (18" depth) so
they
can't go deep to escape. I have plants and rocks built up for hiding,
this
as a precaution because I had previously lost 9 fish about a month ago. I
thought it was a raccoon since I live in the woods, but I caught the beast
red handed this morning. I immediately covered the ponds with netting I
had
around to keep birds out of my grapes. The problem now is he knows where
we
are now. I want to enjoy the ponds not make a fortress out of it. I have
read that one can clean you out in one visit. I have determined to go to
rubber liner and dig to at least 3 ft straight down. I did not have this
in
the first place because I have a water dog (Chesapeake Bay Retriever) with
long claws.

Any suggestions?
Joann

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

Someone here had bought a fake heron. The real Heron came by and started
trying to court the fake one, snatching the fish up and dropping them by the
fake herons feet. lol
Priss
"Coffee" wrote in message
...
Heron,s are territorial so the only thing thats known to keep them away is
a
fake heron at the pond. They sell for about 25 dollars and up. You just
have
to move it every couple weeks so the heron stays fooled.
If the heron thinks another one is there he'll stay away and choose
another
spot.
Patty
"FBCS" wrote in message
...
I looked out my window this morning just in time to see this big grey
ready
to dine. I scared him off but I think he scared me more. He took off
down
the road and looked twice as big as when he was sitting. Ugly thing! I
tried
to count my fish but they are in hiding. I have preforms (18" depth) so
they
can't go deep to escape. I have plants and rocks built up for hiding,
this
as a precaution because I had previously lost 9 fish about a month ago.
I
thought it was a raccoon since I live in the woods, but I caught the
beast
red handed this morning. I immediately covered the ponds with netting I
had
around to keep birds out of my grapes. The problem now is he knows
where
we
are now. I want to enjoy the ponds not make a fortress out of it. I have
read that one can clean you out in one visit. I have determined to go to
rubber liner and dig to at least 3 ft straight down. I did not have this
in
the first place because I have a water dog (Chesapeake Bay Retriever)
with
long claws.

Any suggestions?
Joann

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

I have had one for a yr. The live herons perch the roof once in awhile but
have never came close to the pond.
Patty
"Priscilla McCullough" wrote in message
...
Someone here had bought a fake heron. The real Heron came by and started
trying to court the fake one, snatching the fish up and dropping them by
the
fake herons feet. lol
Priss
"Coffee" wrote in message
...
Heron,s are territorial so the only thing thats known to keep them away
is
a
fake heron at the pond. They sell for about 25 dollars and up. You just
have
to move it every couple weeks so the heron stays fooled.
If the heron thinks another one is there he'll stay away and choose
another
spot.
Patty
"FBCS" wrote in message
...
I looked out my window this morning just in time to see this big grey
ready
to dine. I scared him off but I think he scared me more. He took off
down
the road and looked twice as big as when he was sitting. Ugly thing! I
tried
to count my fish but they are in hiding. I have preforms (18" depth)
so
they
can't go deep to escape. I have plants and rocks built up for hiding,
this
as a precaution because I had previously lost 9 fish about a month
ago.
I
thought it was a raccoon since I live in the woods, but I caught the
beast
red handed this morning. I immediately covered the ponds with netting
I
had
around to keep birds out of my grapes. The problem now is he knows
where
we
are now. I want to enjoy the ponds not make a fortress out of it. I
have
read that one can clean you out in one visit. I have determined to go
to
rubber liner and dig to at least 3 ft straight down. I did not have
this
in
the first place because I have a water dog (Chesapeake Bay Retriever)
with
long claws.

Any suggestions?
Joann

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

I had the same problem and the guys said to put a floating duck in the pond and
the bird shouldn't return

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

Do you think the duck will attract ducks? I heard they are just as
destructive.

Joann
"MLLYDOE" wrote in message
...
I had the same problem and the guys said to put a floating duck in the
pond and
the bird shouldn't return

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

Sam at this moment I agree with you. He's gotten the largest koi (my
favorite, Big White) and largest goldfish.

There is nothing you can do I guess. Hope the netting works.
Joann


"Sam Hopkins" wrote in message
.. .
Seriously though sometimes you just need to resort to drastic measures.

"Sam Hopkins" wrote in message
.. .
Perfect case to wind up in the surpreme court. Obvisouly the law is
outdated.


"K30a" wrote in message
...
Sam wrote Shoot it. Yeah there's people who will say that it's
against
the
law but I
ask you, did the person writing the law have a pond? Probably not.

The law was written to keep all the herons from being slaughtered for
lady's
hats after the turn of the century.
But your argument still won't *fly* in court. Didn't a couple of years
ago
here. Cost the fellow his job and $5000.


k30a

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

"MLLYDOE" wrote:
I had the same problem and the guys said to put a floating duck in the
pond and
the bird shouldn't return

That may work, although I'm not sure why a heron would avoid ducks. My
parents lived on a lake and had problems with a number of animals. They
found that a large imitation snake did the job just fine as long as you move
it every day or two. Fake owls work for some people too.


Michael Fermanis
New Orleans, Louisiana USA (Remove the RICE to reply)
================================================== ===========

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

MLF wrote:
"MLLYDOE" wrote:

I had the same problem and the guys said to put a floating duck in the

pond and

the bird shouldn't return


That may work, although I'm not sure why a heron would avoid ducks. My
parents lived on a lake and had problems with a number of animals. They
found that a large imitation snake did the job just fine as long as you move
it every day or two. Fake owls work for some people too.


Michael Fermanis
New Orleans, Louisiana USA (Remove the RICE to reply)
================================================== ===========



I regularly pass a house with a fake snake on the roof.
Aparently the homeowners where bothered by birds and
put a snake on the roof the keep the birds away ;-)

--
Bonnie
NJ
http://home.earthlink.net/~maebe43/

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

Here is a site for predators of ponds.
http://www.ponddoc.com/WhatsUpDoc/Pr...DreadPred.html
Patty
"Bonnie Espenshade" wrote in message
...
MLF wrote:
"MLLYDOE" wrote:

I had the same problem and the guys said to put a floating duck in the

pond and

the bird shouldn't return


That may work, although I'm not sure why a heron would avoid ducks. My
parents lived on a lake and had problems with a number of animals. They
found that a large imitation snake did the job just fine as long as you
move
it every day or two. Fake owls work for some people too.


Michael Fermanis
New Orleans, Louisiana USA (Remove the RICE to reply)
================================================== ===========



I regularly pass a house with a fake snake on the roof.
Aparently the homeowners where bothered by birds and
put a snake on the roof the keep the birds away ;-)

--
Bonnie
NJ
http://home.earthlink.net/~maebe43/

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

About 30 years ago, I had a strawberry patch and put a rubber snake in the
patch to keep the birds out. One day I went to pick some strawberries and
apparently one of my neighbors had been to the strawberry patch. The rubber
snake had its head cut off. :)
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html


"Bonnie Espenshade" wrote in message
...
MLF wrote:
"MLLYDOE" wrote:

I had the same problem and the guys said to put a floating duck in the

pond and

the bird shouldn't return


That may work, although I'm not sure why a heron would avoid ducks. My
parents lived on a lake and had problems with a number of animals. They
found that a large imitation snake did the job just fine as long as you
move
it every day or two. Fake owls work for some people too.


Michael Fermanis
New Orleans, Louisiana USA (Remove the RICE to reply)
================================================== ===========



I regularly pass a house with a fake snake on the roof.
Aparently the homeowners where bothered by birds and
put a snake on the roof the keep the birds away ;-)

--
Bonnie
NJ
http://home.earthlink.net/~maebe43/

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

They dont work. As long as no other herons strip your pond it appears they work,
then a heron makes a visit and strips the pond. The Pond Lady had em up all around
her ponds and for years never had a heron visit. Then the herons found her ponds and
then nothing worked to keep em out. She will have to net her ponds or continue to
lose fish. Ingrid

Heron,s are territorial so the only thing thats known to keep them away is a
fake heron at the pond.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

Herons are territorial *but* in times and places of abundant fish their
territory can be just a few yards across. So when they find a pond with lots of
fish they are perfectly willing to hang out together.
Also juvenile herons will fish in groups until they are older.


k30a

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

Did she try the motion sprinkler scarecrow?

I'm hearing good reviews, and I am happy with mine. Though I am waiting for
shops to start selling the scarecrow sign: "Beware of attack sprinkler."

Since I put my little post-its on the door with "Sprinkler?" written on
them, both going in (to remember to turn it on) and out, to turn it off. I
haven't got wet lately. Course it also is wise to take your last look at
the pond, before turning it on. Once turned on, with downcast eyes (so you
don't see something else to snip, straighten, or rearrange) go straight in
the house. ~ jan


On Mon, 23 Jun 2003 21:12:41 GMT, wrote:

They dont work. As long as no other herons strip your pond it appears they work,
then a heron makes a visit and strips the pond. The Pond Lady had em up all around
her ponds and for years never had a heron visit. Then the herons found her ponds and
then nothing worked to keep em out. She will have to net her ponds or continue to
lose fish. Ingrid

Heron,s are territorial so the only thing thats known to keep them away is a
fake heron at the pond.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.


See my ponds and filter design:
http://users.owt.com/jjspond/

~Keep 'em Wet!~
Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
To e-mail see website

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

I like your post-note idea. I get wet at least once a day.
I now have 2 scarecrows, an electric fido fence and after a little Coon
problem which cost us our largest fish, a net. The heron does not seem
to like to fly into our property now that the trees and shrubs have
grown up. I guess they like open glide paths.

~ jan JJsPond.us wrote:

Did she try the motion sprinkler scarecrow?

I'm hearing good reviews, and I am happy with mine. Though I am waiting for
shops to start selling the scarecrow sign: "Beware of attack sprinkler."

Since I put my little post-its on the door with "Sprinkler?" written on
them, both going in (to remember to turn it on) and out, to turn it off. I
haven't got wet lately. Course it also is wise to take your last look at
the pond, before turning it on. Once turned on, with downcast eyes (so you
don't see something else to snip, straighten, or rearrange) go straight in
the house. ~ jan


On Mon, 23 Jun 2003 21:12:41 GMT, wrote:



They dont work. As long as no other herons strip your pond it appears they work,
then a heron makes a visit and strips the pond. The Pond Lady had em up all around
her ponds and for years never had a heron visit. Then the herons found her ponds and
then nothing worked to keep em out. She will have to net her ponds or continue to
lose fish. Ingrid



Heron,s are territorial so the only thing thats known to keep them away is a
fake heron at the pond.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.




See my ponds and filter design:
http://users.owt.com/jjspond/

~Keep 'em Wet!~
Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
To e-mail see website

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

I have learned so much from this group over the last couple of years I
thought I would share my solution for herons. After losing nine
of my best gold fish and three tame frogs to a *#@(^ heron I
connected a motion detector to a 24 volt fire alarm strobe light using
a 24 volt transformer and set the motion detector on "TEST" so it will
work day or night.
I also got some 1/2 inch PVC pipe and strung a fishing wire on it like
a bow but with two strings (ll . I lay these across my 8ft. wide pond
as a tripping device that we all know about. I can easily remove these
when people come over or I am outside and don`t want to look at all
that.
The bows were just an extra till I was sure the strobe would work. Its
been a month and NO MISSING FISH. The sudden flash of a strobe should
be too much for the boldest of critters. Also if someone is going to
make one of these you must use a rectifier between the transformer and
the strobe to change the AC power to DC. You can get one for about a
buck at Radio Shack. Try ebay for the fire alarm strobe. Hope this helps
!!
Steve

Grey Heron came for breakfast
 

Steve wrote connected a motion detector to a 24 volt fire alarm strobe light
using
a 24 volt transformer and set the motion detector on "TEST" so it will
work day or night.

I'll put it in the heron notes!
k30a