Ok, I lost a fish yesterday and have no clue to who the culpret
is....yet. Time to play a little detective game.... we will see who
is right when I catch him in the act and STOP him from getting any
Koi.

The Fish :

5 year old white fancy goldfish, about 13 inches in length. Of
course, the one that always rested on my feet while I work with the
lilies and would let my kids pet her. Probably a bit too friendly

The Facts:

1. Fish was present in the pond pre-work 6:30 a.m.
2. Fish was noticed missing around 5:30 p.m.
3.Nothing was disturbed in pond. 1300 + gallon pond, 5 decent sized
Lilies, Horsetail, Dwarf Papyrus, Hornwort(around lillies), etc.
4.Nothing disturbed around the pond. The perimeter of the pond is
River Flats that range from 6" to 16" and are not quite settled in
place, outside of that is fresh cedar bark mulch which always sticks
to my feet when I am working on the pond.
5.9 other fish were hanging around where the stream enters the pond,
then acted normal when fed.
6.I had a raccoon problem with my deck pond 3 years ago. But they
left evidence, close your eyes if your squimish, "parts laying
around".
7.One other thing to include, I have been in my house over 6 years and
I live in an urban area. The closest outskirts of town are about 3+
miles away. Over last weekend I was driving over a creek that is
about 4 blocks away and in a pond, next to a large nursery I noticed
what looked like a small [2 ½ ft tall] white ibis. Well, I thought
this land was owned by the nursery, but I had never drove around the
other side so I thought what the heck. Turns out the land is called
Heron's Haven Wetland, an Urban Wetland and is maintained by the
Audubon Society. I am still in shock that I didn't know it was there.
Anyway, here is an excerpt of fauna from their site. "Home to
green herons, big blue herons, American bitterns, Canada geese, wood
chucks, mink, muskrat, and deer". Before last weekend I had only seen
the woodchuck around and my in-laws spotted some deer two weeks ago
walking in a strip mall parking lot about 3 blocks away.

So, who do you think did it???

When there is no sign of disturbance around the pond it usually is a bird.
Fish are listed first in the diet for bitterns and further down the list for
ibis. And all herons love fish.
If one of these birds did get your fish, it will come back.
Netting the pond or a motion detection sprinkler are good suggestions to keep
your fish from
sushi-tom.


k30a

A fish that size and broad daylight ....... I would have to say Great
Blue Heron and he will be back once the lump in his throat goes away.
(sorry I didn't mean to be so graphic)
"Chad" wrote in message
m...
Ok, I lost a fish yesterday and have no clue to who the culpret
is....yet. Time to play a little detective game.... we will see
who
is right when I catch him in the act and STOP him from getting any
Koi.

The Fish :

5 year old white fancy goldfish, about 13 inches in length. Of
course, the one that always rested on my feet while I work with the
lilies and would let my kids pet her. Probably a bit too friendly

The Facts:

1. Fish was present in the pond pre-work 6:30 a.m.
2. Fish was noticed missing around 5:30 p.m.
3.Nothing was disturbed in pond. 1300 + gallon pond, 5 decent sized
Lilies, Horsetail, Dwarf Papyrus, Hornwort(around lillies), etc.
4.Nothing disturbed around the pond. The perimeter of the pond is
River Flats that range from 6" to 16" and are not quite settled in
place, outside of that is fresh cedar bark mulch which always sticks
to my feet when I am working on the pond.
5.9 other fish were hanging around where the stream enters the pond,
then acted normal when fed.
6.I had a raccoon problem with my deck pond 3 years ago. But they
left evidence, close your eyes if your squimish, "parts laying
around".
7.One other thing to include, I have been in my house over 6 years
and
I live in an urban area. The closest outskirts of town are about 3+
miles away. Over last weekend I was driving over a creek that is
about 4 blocks away and in a pond, next to a large nursery I noticed
what looked like a small [2 ½ ft tall] white ibis. Well, I thought
this land was owned by the nursery, but I had never drove around the
other side so I thought what the heck. Turns out the land is called
Heron's Haven Wetland, an Urban Wetland and is maintained by the
Audubon Society. I am still in shock that I didn't know it was
there.
Anyway, here is an excerpt of fauna from their site. "Home to
green herons, big blue herons, American bitterns, Canada geese, wood
chucks, mink, muskrat, and deer". Before last weekend I had only
seen
the woodchuck around and my in-laws spotted some deer two weeks ago
walking in a strip mall parking lot about 3 blocks away.

So, who do you think did it???

Chad wrote:
Ok, I lost a fish yesterday and have no clue to who the culpret
is....yet. Time to play a little detective game.... we will see who
is right when I catch him in the act and STOP him from getting any
Koi.

The Fish :

5 year old white fancy goldfish, about 13 inches in length. Of
course, the one that always rested on my feet while I work with the
lilies and would let my kids pet her. Probably a bit too friendly

The Facts:

1. Fish was present in the pond pre-work 6:30 a.m.
2. Fish was noticed missing around 5:30 p.m.
3.Nothing was disturbed in pond. 1300 + gallon pond, 5 decent sized
Lilies, Horsetail, Dwarf Papyrus, Hornwort(around lillies), etc.
4.Nothing disturbed around the pond. The perimeter of the pond is
River Flats that range from 6" to 16" and are not quite settled in
place, outside of that is fresh cedar bark mulch which always sticks
to my feet when I am working on the pond.
5.9 other fish were hanging around where the stream enters the pond,
then acted normal when fed.
6.I had a raccoon problem with my deck pond 3 years ago. But they
left evidence, close your eyes if your squimish, "parts laying
around".
7.One other thing to include, I have been in my house over 6 years and
I live in an urban area. The closest outskirts of town are about 3+
miles away. Over last weekend I was driving over a creek that is
about 4 blocks away and in a pond, next to a large nursery I noticed
what looked like a small [2 ½ ft tall] white ibis. Well, I thought
this land was owned by the nursery, but I had never drove around the
other side so I thought what the heck. Turns out the land is called
Heron's Haven Wetland, an Urban Wetland and is maintained by the
Audubon Society. I am still in shock that I didn't know it was there.
Anyway, here is an excerpt of fauna from their site. "Home to
green herons, big blue herons, American bitterns, Canada geese, wood
chucks, mink, muskrat, and deer". Before last weekend I had only seen
the woodchuck around and my in-laws spotted some deer two weeks ago
walking in a strip mall parking lot about 3 blocks away.

So, who do you think did it???

My vote would be for the green heron or great blue heron.
The green heron can hide very well and go unseen. There
is no way you'd miss a great blue by your pond.
--
Bonnie
NJ
http://home.earthlink.net/~maebe43/

On 9 Jul 2003 06:16:17 -0700, (Chad) wrote:


left evidence, close your eyes if your squimish, "parts laying
around".

You know what they say. "Parts is parts".

All seriousness aside, the parts are a good clue.

Herons and egrets bolt their catch down whole.

Mustelids (mink, otter, ferret, fisher) eat the goodies and discard the bony
parts and fins, more or less.

Raptors usually fly off with their prey and eat it elsewhere, and rarely on
the ground.

That narrows it down.

Sorry for the loss of your friend.

Bob

And while we are on the gruesome subject Kingfishers take their fish up into a
tree and bash it senseless and then eat it or fly off with it.

The 'parts' was when the raccoon struck?


k30a

On 09 Jul 2003 19:48:42 GMT, ESPMER (K30a) wrote:


And while we are on the gruesome subject Kingfishers take their fish up into a
tree and bash it senseless and then eat it or fly off with it.

The 'parts' was when the raccoon struck?

Oooo...I forgot about Mr. Procyon lotor. Yep, raccoons eat out, and leave a
mess behind.

Off topic, but one used to overturn my trash can almost nightly. I finally
put some strong bungee cords on the lid. Well, my wife and I saw my motion
detector light come on, and looked out the patio door. Mr. raccoon was
pulling on the lid with all his might, just as a man would grab and pull.
The lid would open a few inches, and when he tried to stick his snout in, it
would snap shut. He finally gave up and ambled away. We could almost hear
him muttering. We got a lot of giggles and grins out of that.

Bob

I'd guess the culprit was a great blue heron, as I think a 13" fish might be
bit tough for the smaller green heron to manage.

As for not noticing a great blue heron, I assumed that Chad meant there was
no one home between 6:30 am & 5:30 pm to see the GBH (birder's jargon).

Anne Lurie
Raleigh, NC







"Bonnie Espenshade" wrote in message
...
Chad wrote:
Ok, I lost a fish yesterday and have no clue to who the culpret
is....yet. Time to play a little detective game.... we will see who
is right when I catch him in the act and STOP him from getting any
Koi.

The Fish :

5 year old white fancy goldfish, about 13 inches in length. Of
course, the one that always rested on my feet while I work with the
lilies and would let my kids pet her. Probably a bit too friendly

The Facts:

1. Fish was present in the pond pre-work 6:30 a.m.
2. Fish was noticed missing around 5:30 p.m.
3.Nothing was disturbed in pond. 1300 + gallon pond, 5 decent sized
Lilies, Horsetail, Dwarf Papyrus, Hornwort(around lillies), etc.
4.Nothing disturbed around the pond. The perimeter of the pond is
River Flats that range from 6" to 16" and are not quite settled in
place, outside of that is fresh cedar bark mulch which always sticks
to my feet when I am working on the pond.
5.9 other fish were hanging around where the stream enters the pond,
then acted normal when fed.
6.I had a raccoon problem with my deck pond 3 years ago. But they
left evidence, close your eyes if your squimish, "parts laying
around".
7.One other thing to include, I have been in my house over 6 years and
I live in an urban area. The closest outskirts of town are about 3+
miles away. Over last weekend I was driving over a creek that is
about 4 blocks away and in a pond, next to a large nursery I noticed
what looked like a small [2 ½ ft tall] white ibis. Well, I thought
this land was owned by the nursery, but I had never drove around the
other side so I thought what the heck. Turns out the land is called
Heron's Haven Wetland, an Urban Wetland and is maintained by the
Audubon Society. I am still in shock that I didn't know it was there.
Anyway, here is an excerpt of fauna from their site. "Home to
green herons, big blue herons, American bitterns, Canada geese, wood
chucks, mink, muskrat, and deer". Before last weekend I had only seen
the woodchuck around and my in-laws spotted some deer two weeks ago
walking in a strip mall parking lot about 3 blocks away.

So, who do you think did it???

My vote would be for the green heron or great blue heron.
The green heron can hide very well and go unseen. There
is no way you'd miss a great blue by your pond.
--
Bonnie
NJ
http://home.earthlink.net/~maebe43/

I'd guess the culprit was a great blue heron, as I think a 13" fish might be
bit tough for the smaller green heron to manage.

As for not noticing a great blue heron, I assumed that Chad meant there was
no one home between 6:30 am & 5:30 pm to see the GBH (birder's jargon).

Anne Lurie
Raleigh, NC







"Bonnie Espenshade" wrote in message
...
Chad wrote:
Ok, I lost a fish yesterday and have no clue to who the culpret
is....yet. Time to play a little detective game.... we will see who
is right when I catch him in the act and STOP him from getting any
Koi.

The Fish :

5 year old white fancy goldfish, about 13 inches in length. Of
course, the one that always rested on my feet while I work with the
lilies and would let my kids pet her. Probably a bit too friendly

The Facts:

1. Fish was present in the pond pre-work 6:30 a.m.
2. Fish was noticed missing around 5:30 p.m.
3.Nothing was disturbed in pond. 1300 + gallon pond, 5 decent sized
Lilies, Horsetail, Dwarf Papyrus, Hornwort(around lillies), etc.
4.Nothing disturbed around the pond. The perimeter of the pond is
River Flats that range from 6" to 16" and are not quite settled in
place, outside of that is fresh cedar bark mulch which always sticks
to my feet when I am working on the pond.
5.9 other fish were hanging around where the stream enters the pond,
then acted normal when fed.
6.I had a raccoon problem with my deck pond 3 years ago. But they
left evidence, close your eyes if your squimish, "parts laying
around".
7.One other thing to include, I have been in my house over 6 years and
I live in an urban area. The closest outskirts of town are about 3+
miles away. Over last weekend I was driving over a creek that is
about 4 blocks away and in a pond, next to a large nursery I noticed
what looked like a small [2 ½ ft tall] white ibis. Well, I thought
this land was owned by the nursery, but I had never drove around the
other side so I thought what the heck. Turns out the land is called
Heron's Haven Wetland, an Urban Wetland and is maintained by the
Audubon Society. I am still in shock that I didn't know it was there.
Anyway, here is an excerpt of fauna from their site. "Home to
green herons, big blue herons, American bitterns, Canada geese, wood
chucks, mink, muskrat, and deer". Before last weekend I had only seen
the woodchuck around and my in-laws spotted some deer two weeks ago
walking in a strip mall parking lot about 3 blocks away.

So, who do you think did it???

My vote would be for the green heron or great blue heron.
The green heron can hide very well and go unseen. There
is no way you'd miss a great blue by your pond.
--
Bonnie
NJ
http://home.earthlink.net/~maebe43/

Most like it was Heron attack.

Chad, I have the same problem as you. A few days ago I found 2 of my 5 inch
koi missing. Everything around the pond is undisturbed and the fish are
swimming normally. Today I found some s__t on my cedar chips which look
like a cat has been around. Although this is just a guess, I will be
looking into the Scarecrow sprinkler. Doug

--
http://dulberg.smugmug.com/
"Chad" wrote in message
m...
Ok, I lost a fish yesterday and have no clue to who the culpret
is....yet. Time to play a little detective game.... we will see who
is right when I catch him in the act and STOP him from getting any
Koi.

The Fish :

5 year old white fancy goldfish, about 13 inches in length. Of
course, the one that always rested on my feet while I work with the
lilies and would let my kids pet her. Probably a bit too friendly

The Facts:

1. Fish was present in the pond pre-work 6:30 a.m.
2. Fish was noticed missing around 5:30 p.m.
3.Nothing was disturbed in pond. 1300 + gallon pond, 5 decent sized
Lilies, Horsetail, Dwarf Papyrus, Hornwort(around lillies), etc.
4.Nothing disturbed around the pond. The perimeter of the pond is
River Flats that range from 6" to 16" and are not quite settled in
place, outside of that is fresh cedar bark mulch which always sticks
to my feet when I am working on the pond.
5.9 other fish were hanging around where the stream enters the pond,
then acted normal when fed.
6.I had a raccoon problem with my deck pond 3 years ago. But they
left evidence, close your eyes if your squimish, "parts laying
around".
7.One other thing to include, I have been in my house over 6 years and
I live in an urban area. The closest outskirts of town are about 3+
miles away. Over last weekend I was driving over a creek that is
about 4 blocks away and in a pond, next to a large nursery I noticed
what looked like a small [2 ½ ft tall] white ibis. Well, I thought
this land was owned by the nursery, but I had never drove around the
other side so I thought what the heck. Turns out the land is called
Heron's Haven Wetland, an Urban Wetland and is maintained by the
Audubon Society. I am still in shock that I didn't know it was there.
Anyway, here is an excerpt of fauna from their site. "Home to
green herons, big blue herons, American bitterns, Canada geese, wood
chucks, mink, muskrat, and deer". Before last weekend I had only seen
the woodchuck around and my in-laws spotted some deer two weeks ago
walking in a strip mall parking lot about 3 blocks away.

So, who do you think did it???