cormorant pests

[brianfl]

Has anyone had to deal with cormorants? I found a cormorant at my pond and it has gotten two balas and two pink gouramis. I think I will try one of those fake alligator heads. Any other ideas?

[125gJoe]

I've seen smaller ponds with wire mesh on top of them. In your case, I think this would be too much work. I think these people have the mesh on only temporarily.

[brianfl]

I want to avoid a cover if at all possible. I could put a net up but it would look horrible. I am going to try decoys. I have also seen those motion/sprinkler systems, but that involves quite a bit with my current set up. Our yard sprinkler system is a direct feed from the canal behind our house. We have a pump that brings it in. I am not thrilled at the prospect of running a 2 hp pump non stop during daylight hours.

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by brianfl
I want to avoid a cover if at all possible. ..... I agree with that! We have a big Oak tree and thought of a screen for it... Naaa, just dip-net it out..

The mesh cover I did see awhile ago seemed ok though.. :confused:

[brianfl]

Well, we put up a short fence around the pond today. We were going to do that anyway, just part of the process of setting it up. It will be interesting to see if he goes over the fence, sits on top the fence or just quits coming around. It looks really nice, my wifes idea, I will put it some pics of it in the next few days. We also got another large water lily and we now have the pond 70-80% covered. Since that, he has been around, but we haven't lost any fish.

We did have an interesting development. We were looking at the fish today, in between fence building and saw a bala in the upper tank (goldfish tank). A pleasant surprise, he was one of the missing fish, but not sure how he got in there. A couple of possiblities, he swam against the current and up the waterfall. I don't think that is likely. He jumped from one pond to the other (the canal, waterfall is probably about a foot tall and a foot long. Maybe. Or he went through the skimmer and through the pump and the tubing and down the main waterfall. Don't know which but I was really glad to see him.

[brianfl]

Joe,

Great news. We put up the fence and the bird has moved on. I guess he doesn't think it's worth the effort. Here is a pic:

[brianfl]

And another one: