Florida birds love our pond!

[taku]

I recently installed a 165g outdoor pond in my yard partially shaded by a small tree. I was hoping the birds wouldn't see the pond under the tree. That was dumb!!!

Well the 2nd day after adding a few small comets, a large white heron flew down to check it out, aka eat my fish. I live in Orlando, surrounded by lakes so the birds are everywhere. It tried to land on the edge of the pond but my dog scared it away, then an hour or two later it flew back and I scared the crap out of it (lol) and I haven't seen it since... but my question is how can I tastefully protect my fish from birds? Is there a visually acceptable way?

The pond is about 28" deep with one shelf.

Thanks!

[cam191919]

odd, my fish are in plain sight and the herons dont get them. you could try experimenting with shiny stuff on a stick, or an owl or somthing. otherwise im not sure

[hankn]

Pond Predator Control
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=418
Since the floating hippo head will be too big for your pond:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=9507
I would go with the motion activated sprayer:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=14227
and it does work:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2780193920410451722
Shop around - there are a few different brands out there.

[taku]

Thanks for the link hankn! My backyard is very small, I live in a suburb of Orlando so my backyard is around 60x20... so as awesome as the motion sensing sprinkler is, my dog and I would both be petrified of getting within a 50foot radius of the pond lol.

I really like the decoy idea and think it would be least invasive to visual appeal (vs. sprinkler vs pond netting). So I thank you very much for the info and links!

The heron is the only predator I've seen, so I still may net the pond at night to ensure coons aren't attracted to the water.

[The Zigman]

You could put protective netting over the top of the pond... about a foot above the water.

As I ponder the construction of my future pond, I fear my biggest predator will be raccoons... you have it easy!

[taku]

What kind of protective netting are you thinking about using?

[hankn]

Do not use a heron decoy since there are seasons where they eat in groups of 2-3 and having a heron decoy will be an invitation to come for breakfast.

When you saw the heron did it walk up to the side or did it land directly in the pond? Herons that land on land and walk up to the pond won't be able to raise their leg to walk over a single fishing line stretched around the pond at around 12". This way it won't bothe your view of the pond and at the same time will keep the heron out - provided it doesn't land directly in the pond.

Another trick is to help your fish find shelter. In the winter when my lily cover is gone, I throw in 6" PVC tubes - around 18" long, which the fish can use to hide in when a predator shows up.

[taku]

Good info! Well I happened to be sitting on the patio both times when the heron tried to land... so actually neither time was he able to land... the first time he flew in under the tree, saw me, my dog jumped at it, and it hauled *** outta there before landing.

The second time (couple hours later), it landed on my roof and looked over the edge just as I saw it do that I hissssed SUPER loud (even scared my dog lol) and the bird took off. I haven't seen it since and I've been putting this horribly ugly screen over the pond until I figure out what to do. The fishing line thing would be easy/cheap and nearly invisible so that's a great idea.

[taku]

One more bit of info.. I do plan to landscape pretty much right up to the edge of the pond all around it... so I'm curious if the heron will even be able to get to the pond after that? They seem pretty tall and linky...

There is only 1 shelf in the pond that he could stand on, and the rest is a straight vertical drop to around 28"-30" deep (preformed pond). I'll try the pvc tubing too (in black) and plant more submersible plants. For now, the fish are so dumb and friendly, my dog or I walk up to the pond and they come up to the surface to greet us. They'd definitely be an easy meal.

[saram521]

If you don't already have surface plants like lily pads, etc. you should get some. Those work pretty well. The fish can hide in the roots and can dart from plant to plant. You shouldn't have a problem keeping plants either with the warm weather. I like the pvc pipe suggestion.

[finsNfur]

A heron found my little pond next to the house this fall, and took a few fish. My pond is heavily planted both in and around, too. Right now I have bird netting over the pond, and I haven't had any more visits from the heron, although he may have flown south (to Florida? lol) for the winter. But I second the fishing line idea, I did do that for a few weeks and it worked. People have advised me to not only put it around the pond, but to criss-cross it over the pond as well, since herons will land in shallow areas of a pond.

[taku]

I think you all have provided me with a winning combination:

1. black PVC sections (large enough for fish to hide in now and when they grow in size
2. fishing line surrounding the exterior of the pond so herons can't walk to the pond edge and criscrossed over the shelf area (the only shallow spot of the pond)
3. bird netting (may be kept on seasonally or night only, depends on how well the other items work)
4. fake bird of prey (owl) moved randomly around the back yard to scare other birds
5. interior plants like floating lillies for fish to hide under

[cam191919]

sounds like you wont be seeing herons for a while

[bjk2]

a blue heron ate all of our koi... :(

[Vicious_Fish]

Do not use a heron decoy since there are seasons where they eat in groups of 2-3 and having a heron decoy will be an invitation to come for breakfast.


Nope sorry, doesn't work that way here when you're dealing with the larger species of herons like Great Blues and White Egrets. Herons are very territorial animals and you never see herons feeding in close proximity to each other. They view each other as competition and will not stop at a small pond if they see another heron.

My neighbor had the same problem in his pond and it was much, much bigger then the one the OP has. Everyday for a week a blue heron showed up and tired to eat his goldfish. I told him to place a heron decoy next to the pond and when he did this the heron never returned. With a pond this small there is no way 2 birds will put up with each other and the other one flying over will decide it's better off finding it's own pond.

[captaincaveman9]

try putting a fake bird of prey in the yard, like a fake owl or hawk, that usually keeps most birds away, even white herons, will not work with adult sand hill cranes or great blue herons

[hankn]

Nope sorry, doesn't work that way here when you're dealing with the larger species of herons like Great Blues and White Egrets. Herons are very territorial animals and you never see herons feeding in close proximity to each other. They view each other as competition and will not stop at a small pond if they see another heron.


All the research I have looked at says that at mating season you should not have a decoy out. See:
http://thepondguy.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/protecting-your-fish-from-predators-water-garden-q-a-week-of-may-2nd/

"Caution: DO NOT use heron decoys during mating season as they will become a heron magnet instead."

http://www.ponddoc.com/WhatsUpDoc/Predators/GreatBlue.html

"A heron decoy (http://www.ponddoc.com/Store/Predator/decoy.html) placed by the pond during March and April can actually draw a male in search of a mate. It’s best to wait until late May to put out the decoy. The decoy IS a very effective method in June through February because once he picks his mate the heron then defends his territory. Herons stay out of other herons’ defended territories when not in search of a mate. Remember when you use a decoy to periodically move it around to keep up the appearance of a live bird."

[Vicious_Fish]

Yes but as soon as it lands next to it and finds out it's not a real heron it will be on it's way looking for more tail. ;)

That's why you use the back up plan and put netting across the pond like you should of done in the first place. The decoy is only a first deterrent for birds passing over. After that I recommend claymore mines.

[taku]

Thanks everyone for the responses, it's been very informative! Today I added some water hyacinths and a plant that looks like papyrus, maybe it is? The fish seem to like the additions so far, swimming in and around them.

Also, tonight is going to get down to 36F!!! I'm in orlando so this is unusual, so I ran up to the pet store and picked out the biggest submersible heater they had, 300w marineland. Even though it's not large enough, at least it will keep the water warmer than sub 50F.

Since I'm still completing build out around the yard, I haven't been able to add the fishing line or decoys yet. Still a work in progress but luckily since I scared the crap out of the heron the other day, he hasn't been back. I'm sure he will be though, he's been hanging out at the neighborhood pond.

Thanks!!!

[hankn]

Also, tonight is going to get down to 36F!!! I'm in orlando so this is unusual, so I ran up to the pet store and picked out the biggest submersible heater they had, 300w marineland. Even though it's not large enough, at least it will keep the water warmer than sub 50F.


Last year in Jan my pond temp hit 36F and the koi and GF and rosybarbs I have did just fine.

People heat their ponds when there is fear of ice on the top, causing gas buildup and lack of oxygenation. I don't think you have that problem.

[hankn]

http://www.mercurynews.com/lifeandstyleheadlines/ci_11026074

[Vicious_Fish]

Yeah as much as you might want to shoot them, it's against the law. When I worked at a local raptor rehab center one summer we had a Blue Heron brought in that was shot in the wing and was found wandering around in a neighborhood because it couldn't fly.