Welcome to Koi Forum. Is this your first visit? Register
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 24
  1. #1

    Deterring Herons

    At the moment,we have lightweight nets on our pond with a frame of 40mm plastic water pipe,light & easy to move but they are a bit unsightly.We do have Herons around our way but we wre wondering if a pergola would deter these pests.Any advice would be appreciated.

    Ray.



  2. #2
    Moderator Rank = Supreme Champion Feline's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Somerset
    Posts
    6,653
    Thanks / Likes
    5635
    Pergolas do help, although if particular herons already know there is a pond there it might not stop them. It depends how you design your pergola really.

  3. Thanks Matsuba Thanked / Liked this Post
  4. #3
    It may sound silly, but I've been hanging an old CD on a bit of fishing line on the edge of the pond for three years now after getting regular visitors, only seen one since, that was two years ago when the line broke an the CD went for a bath takes a mere slightest of a breeze to make it move, and catch the light.

    https://youtu.be/d9fzYcAR7nQ

  5. Thanks Chunksta Thanked / Liked this Post
  6. #4
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Mature Champion pip895's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Nr Farnham, Surrey
    Posts
    2,069
    Thanks / Likes
    831
    I am having success with floating pond rings which are much less unsightly than covering the pond with mesh.
    6000g in ground koi pond
    +3000g lily/Anoxic pond attached
    29 koi (40 to 65cm)
    Bottom drain, Mid water & Skimmer to Drum
    JBR boichamber->Blue eco 500 pump ->below surface return.
    Blue Eco 240 -> Large MB -> Waterfall -> Planted Anoxic pond (25 baskets)

  7. #5
    Junior Member Rank = Tosai John The Fish's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Tring, Herts
    Posts
    22
    Thanks / Likes
    19
    I wasn't able to keep fish for years because every time I tried the heron would come and eat all of them! The only thing that stopped the heron in the end was a chance morning encounter with my new dogs as soon as they met the heron left and has never come back!

  8. #6
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    South East
    Posts
    5,937
    Thanks / Likes
    13163
    I just went for the unsightly method.

    Powder coated steel mesh panels that slot into each other and can be padlocked down. Not got round to it yet but I intend on putting hinges and gas struts on the fence side so that half lifts up against the fence like your car boot lid.

    It deters Herons, Cats, Thieves, and the fish can't jump out!

    IMG_20180627_213923.jpg

  9. #7
    Senior Member Rank = Grand Champion andikoi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    wakefield,west yorkshire
    Posts
    3,491
    Thanks / Likes
    3764
    it always surprises me when people put the fake ones stood up against the pond as a deterrent,surely one laid down with its head chopped off and some fake blood over it would work better,not a case then of heron saying oh is that bob down there,more a case of oh crap we better keep away from that one lol,andi

  10. #8
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    South East
    Posts
    5,937
    Thanks / Likes
    13163
    Worked from home today so decided to leave the pond covers raised for the day.

    IMG_20190416_183520.jpg

    Son comes home from school and says. "You don't want to leave the pond cover up after what I've been seeing in the garden every morning"

    I say "what's that son"

    he replies, "this, look, I took a photo of it, its been coming every morning"

    IMG-20190509-WA0001.jpg



    I quickly run outside, do a head count and close the covers back down:

    IMG_20190415_190743.jpg


    It's great to have the piece of mind, and finally I have good reason to feel the cost and aesthetics of the covers are more than justified.

  11. Thanks john1, Ajm Thanked / Liked this Post
  12. #9
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    N.Wales.
    Posts
    8,700
    Thanks / Likes
    15243
    Get a pergola over it,herons dont like going under them apparently Rs.
    John

  13. Thanks RS2OOO, Ajm Thanked / Liked this Post
  14. #10


    That’s a myth


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  15. Thanks RS2OOO, Ajm Thanked / Liked this Post
  16. #11
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    South East
    Posts
    5,937
    Thanks / Likes
    13163
    Lol.... That really is a bit close for comfort!

    Can't justify spending on a Pergola.... I've got my pond and its nice, need to be grateful for that at this stage.

    Even the missus wants a pergola over it, so permission won't be too much of an issue.

    But...

    One car just gone in for £1600 of repairs, saving up £6k to get the Escort finished, and we badly need a new kitchen within the next year or so, which is looking likely to be £15k region.

    Oh, and I'd like a 1st floor extension above the garage.

  17. Thanks john1 Thanked / Liked this Post
  18. #12
    Guess we have other priorities sometimes in our lives mate, some stuff is just more important eh?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  19. #13
    I watched that heron land on the next doors roof, leap down onto my garage roof, then onto the pond wall.
    I had the same thoughts about them not liking a pergola. Now I’ll have to net it I suppose. I was considering making or Rory proof any how. Now it’ll be everything proof!!
    Far too many herons round here to shoot them all


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  20. Thanks Ajm, RS2OOO Thanked / Liked this Post
  21. #14
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    N.Wales.
    Posts
    8,700
    Thanks / Likes
    15243
    Quote Originally Posted by bigcarpchaser View Post


    That’s a myth


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    Really surprised me that,since putting mine up three years ago I havnt seen one at all.
    Maybe put some fishing line from post to post to put them off.
    John

  22. #15
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    South East
    Posts
    5,937
    Thanks / Likes
    13163
    Quote Originally Posted by bigcarpchaser View Post
    Guess we have other priorities sometimes in our lives mate, some stuff is just more important eh?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    Dunno tbh mate.

    Reaching an age where you think sod it, I've worked my nuts off for 30 years and want some nice things in life, but at the same time don't want to extend the mortgage for big purchases, even though some of those purchases would pay for themselves through increased house value... but increased house value is worthless if it turns out to be your forever home.

    Only so many big budget £10k plus purchases you can get in a single life time..... And I really want that elusive supercar too before popping clogs.

    Re-reading that and hoping I don't sound like a candidate for mid life crisis lol.

  23. #16
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion Ajm's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Durham
    Posts
    11,220
    Thanks / Likes
    21136
    Quote Originally Posted by RS2OOO View Post
    Dunno tbh mate.

    Reaching an age where you think sod it, I've worked my nuts off for 30 years and want some nice things in life, but at the same time don't want to extend the mortgage for big purchases, even though some of those purchases would pay for themselves through increased house value... but increased house value is worthless if it turns out to be your forever home.

    Only so many big budget £10k plus purchases you can get in a single life time..... And I really want that elusive supercar too before popping clogs.

    Re-reading that and hoping I don't sound like a candidate for mid life crisis lol.
    Mid life crisis is up there the second you said supercar Haha

    Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk
    Freddyboy the legend

    "we are water keepers first"

    Johnathan

  24. #17
    I had a mid life crisis, ended up divorced and broke lol.
    As for cars, they’re a bigger money pit than a pond, I know, I’ve had a few
    Had to stop myself buying another Discovery the other day, after 2 of those I should know better!!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  25. Thanks Ajm Thanked / Liked this Post
  26. #18
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Yonsai dshaw63's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Posts
    177
    Thanks / Likes
    102
    Few months back went outside to pond and saw heron stood on side of pond about 11 ish at night, could not believe my eyes the size of it. Once it flew off done head count luckily none missing. Any way went out to builder who had broken down got talking to him who informed me he had shot it and ate it, has not been back so hopefully the one.

  27. Thanks Ajm Thanked / Liked this Post
  28. #19
    Member Rank = Nisai gpt1985's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    Crewe
    Posts
    40
    Thanks / Likes
    22
    Is it not possible to limit their standing space? If there is nothing they can land on in the pond itself, they need to be able to stand at the waters edge, would a foot of 45 degree netting angled from the outer of the coping stone towards the pond not do the trick? or an they still manage to balance on the netting? i would be surprised if they could.

    Years ago we had fishing wire cris crossed all over the pond. It landed, ate some fish, and then must have flapped crazy getting tangled on its way out as it left a load of feathers behind but was gone when we woke up. We put netting straight over after that. Heron still came back, pinged our largest fish through the head, but couldnt pull it out because of the netting obviously, so it was floating with a pin hole in its head when we woke up. But this was years back. My new pond is now dug but im curious to know what the best recommendations are. Weve sighted a heron here twice in 4 years (which is good going) - but i would still never want to risk it

  29. Thanks freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
  30. #20
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion freddyboy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Posts
    11,123
    Thanks / Likes
    17023
    Quote Originally Posted by gpt1985 View Post
    Is it not possible to limit their standing space? If there is nothing they can land on in the pond itself, they need to be able to stand at the waters edge, would a foot of 45 degree netting angled from the outer of the coping stone towards the pond not do the trick? or an they still manage to balance on the netting? i would be surprised if they could.

    Years ago we had fishing wire cris crossed all over the pond. It landed, ate some fish, and then must have flapped crazy getting tangled on its way out as it left a load of feathers behind but was gone when we woke up. We put netting straight over after that. Heron still came back, pinged our largest fish through the head, but couldnt pull it out because of the netting obviously, so it was floating with a pin hole in its head when we woke up. But this was years back. My new pond is now dug but im curious to know what the best recommendations are. Weve sighted a heron here twice in 4 years (which is good going) - but i would still never want to risk it
    I was watching an American documentary last night. Pond stars. Wildlife ponds with koi. And they built this pond at this blokes house. Next to a river. About 60meters away. With loads of herons.
    And to beat them. They build koi caves in the pond. So the fish can hide. To get away from them. And apparently they don t lose fish by using this method.
    The caves have over hanging flat roofs so the heron can t get them. On sky TV.

    Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

 

 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
All times are GMT +1. The time now is 03:28 PM. Online Koi Mag Forum
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3
Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.

vBulletin Improved By vBFoster® (Lite Version), © UltimateScheme, Ltd.