Heron Deterrents

[Eveshammoo]

We had 20 beautiful goldfish in our pond. Although we had seen a heron a couple of times, our fountain semed to keep him off our pond but when we were on holiday in October the fountain got turned off by accident and he ate the lot!

I have been looking for a heron deterrent but all I can find are plastic herons (which may attract a mate in the mating season), a water scarecrow (which will definately upset our cat) nets or plastic rods and twine (which look ugly). There are sculptured heron covers on the market but they cost about £1000! My neighbour has erected an old lamppost, painted it silver, and attached strings which are pegged into the ground around his pond. It looks as though it will do the job and is pleasing to the eye as well.

Anyone out there got any other ideas for a pleasing heron deterrent which won't cost the earth?

 

[sheba]

Either one of these (see above) or I have a net and a scarecrow sensor (yes it will scare the cat but you wont lose any more fish).
The plastic herons dont work by the way though you could try a plastic eagle owl (I've even heard plastic toy snakes can work!)

 

[Miss Wiggle]

My dad lives in the countryside so had this problem lots, he just got a plastic heron and it works fine, doesn't have problems in the mating season, doesn't even have a net on his pond

 

[Silverlady]

Having lost our fish twice to the Heron, i netted the pond and no more trouble from Mr Heron, although i have seen him in my next door neighbours tall tree looking very wistful.
The only trouble we now have are the Blackbirds jumping up and down on the nett so they can have their daily bath.

 

[denis coghlan]

Maybe you could try one of these little puppies.

Gator Guard

 

[koimom]

Either one of these (see above) or I have a net and a scarecrow sensor (yes it will scare the cat but you wont lose any more fish).
The plastic herons dont work by the way though you could try a plastic eagle owl (I've even heard plastic toy snakes can work!)

Have you thought about the SCARECROW sprinkler?

http/www.koicarp.net/koi_accessories1/scarecrow.html

This might also help. I'm surprised the heron isn't scared by your beautiful Dobie boy!

(We have two Dobies also; a black and a red. Don't think we'll ever go for another breed as
we're too impressed with how wonderful they are!)

Anyway, good luck with keeping your koi safe!

 

[sheba]

Hi koimom,
I dont have a problem with herons - not with my dobe guarding the pond - I have a sprinkler (more of a squirter!!) too... and of course the net helps. I'm on a direct flight path for herons as I live in between a canal and a heronry (not good for a koi pond ) Good luck with your dobies, mine is abit of a monster. My first was much easier!!!

 

[Eveshammoo]

Maybe you could try one of these little puppies.

Gator Guard

I quite like the look of this and might try it for a bit of fun!!