View Full Version : Blue Heron Blues
cguarino30
04-05-2009, 7:22 PM
I just lost my favorite koi (He was ugly as sin, but I had him forever) to a Blue Heron, and was wondering if there are any viable tactics for preventing this from happening any more. I'm mostly just seeing decoys and nets online. Are there any better options? I don't really like the look of either. Would a few lines around the perimeter work, or do you need to mesh over the entire thing? Does anyone else have any better options? Thanks for your help.
ch-47 soldier
04-05-2009, 7:26 PM
aa-12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g77sLmw-UcY
BreezeRuehls
04-05-2009, 7:38 PM
I don't think this will work on his tank....But it helps keeping the husband in line...
aa-12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g77sLmw-UcY
BoCoMo
04-05-2009, 7:58 PM
How deep is the pond (should be at least 2') Do you have any shelves in the pond for plant or anything? (predators can use these as hunting perches) You may have to install a net or a grid over your pond (these can be very decorative (like the one pictured). Do you have a floating island in your pond for the koi to hide under? Sorry for your loss!
I would like to see pics of your setup.
joeski
04-05-2009, 8:47 PM
I had a heron problem last year I lost 8 koi to it, a friend of my suggested to me to put 4 foot stakes around a pond and tie a fishing line loosely from stake to stake at the 1 foot from the bottom of the stake and at the top around a pond, it will keep the heron from reaching the pond. I got this setup and I saw the heron 2 times this year but it never entered the pond, so far no Koi missing this year.
cguarino30
04-05-2009, 11:21 PM
The pond runs as deep as 4 feet in the middle, but there are a couple of ledges that I could see the bird using. how does one make a floating island? That sounds like a good idea. Thanks for all your help
BoCoMo
04-06-2009, 9:15 AM
Ledges can be a problem. (have you seen the Heron feeding? Was it from one of these ledges?) I would make sure that the area around the edge has a depth of at least two feet to deep.
Floating Islands are very sweet, but buying them can be expensive (ones like the attached pictures) buy I have read DIY projects utilizing everything from dock foam, PVC rings with netting to a "floating" island that is really a platform supported by a column attached to the bottom of the pond.
Got any pics of your set up to share with us? :)
cguarino30
04-06-2009, 9:18 AM
Unfortunately, the pond is at my parents' house, and I live about 500 miles away, so I didn't actually see the feeding and won't be able to get any pictures for some time. I'm going to visit this week, so maybe I'll be able to work something out.
BoCoMo
04-06-2009, 9:27 AM
Unfortunately, the pond is at my parents' house, and I live about 500 miles away, so I didn't actually see the feeding and won't be able to get any pictures for some time. I'm going to visit this week, so maybe I'll be able to work something out.
Ah, yeah that's a little bit of a drive just to take pics for us :) maybe when you're down there next.
Good luck with your Heron!