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Thread: Heron proof koi

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    Senior Member Rank = Rokusai Whitey79's Avatar
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    Heron proof koi

    At what size would you say koi become Heron proof don't really want to put a net over my pond once it's built so was wondering what would be the smallest fish I could put in the pond thanks



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    Don't think it matters mate, they eat small koi and just stab at larger koi.
    Jay

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    Senior Member Rank = Rokusai Whitey79's Avatar
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    So what do people use to stop them see alot of ponds with no nets on

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    Senior Member Rank = Nanasai Big nige's Avatar
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    It doesn't matter I don't think, I had a 13inch koi stabbed by a heron and left on ground

    Sent from my moto e6 play using Tapatalk

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    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion Ajm's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Whitey79 View Post
    So what do people use to stop them see alot of ponds with no nets on
    Auto water jets amazon sell them. Triggers the sensor and gets rapid fire

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    Freddyboy the legend

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    Johnathan

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  11. #6
    I use these. Bought 2 of them for extra posts and they seem to work well. Don't be put off by how cheap they are.

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Superfish....m46890.l49292

    Had a heron attack early last year but none since installing this. I have never heard the alarm go off so may be just a coincidence or a good deterrent. I couldn't cope with a net over the pond either.
    I thought about the water jet sprayer but was worried that it would probably get me more than any herons!
    Tim

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    Senior Member Rank = Hassai arceye's Avatar
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    lol.. my jet sprayer gets me most bloody mornings..

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    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion davethefish1's Avatar
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    no such thing as heron proof by size, they are curious determined predators.
    they would probably have a go at a 1mtr chag if the opportunity arose...

    i think a lot depends on where you are... city or rural, how close to large bodies of water.
    as to if you get heron problems.
    i never saw a single heron where i've lived for the last 20 years...until i built a pond...

    i have seen one fly past a few times, checked the 'PIR events' cctv on the pond quite often. and it has never landed that i have seen.
    but my pond is close to the house, covered in winter, and netted at night in the summer.
    made a frame from conduit stetched netting over it and bungee corded down.
    i just take it of during the day when i'm home.

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    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Letimgo View Post
    I use these. Bought 2 of them for extra posts and they seem to work well. Don't be put off by how cheap they are.

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Superfish....m46890.l49292

    Had a heron attack early last year but none since installing this. I have never heard the alarm go off so may be just a coincidence or a good deterrent. I couldn't cope with a net over the pond either.
    I thought about the water jet sprayer but was worried that it would probably get me more than any herons!
    Tim

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    Do these make a loud noise?

    As my covers are off I have put jump guards made from netting but dont think it's high enough as 1 ft high.
    Can hardly see the net to be honest,and been looking for something else now.
    John

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    Senior Member Rank = Yonsai Tropheus's Avatar
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    I had one of those heron scarers that made a noise and had flashing lights. The heron just walked passed it. Useless.

    Although ugly and not 100%, a net is the only effective deterrent

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    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion Ajm's Avatar
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    On the farms when using a gas powered bird scarer wonder if you could fit a movement sensor instead of pressure build up . Might piss the neighbours off like and could end up with armed police at the door but it would work lol

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  23. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by john1 View Post
    Do these make a loud noise?

    As my covers are off I have put jump guards made from netting but dont think it's high enough as 1 ft high.
    Can hardly see the net to be honest,and been looking for something else now.
    Hi John,
    Yes, they are reasonably loud. Enough to make you jump when you accidently catch it with the net.
    Probably wouldn't work if you have jump guards that are a foot high. They would probably deter a heron on their own.
    Tim

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    Moderator Rank = Supreme Champion Feline's Avatar
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    I’ve not lost a fish to a heron in a decade and there are herons in my area. They have had a go at fishing in my wildlife pond in the past.

    Reasons they don’t visit now? Raised pond with vertical sides so no wading opportunity. No plants or baskets. Jump guards around ponds are a massive trip hazard to a heron. 3 cats and a dog, cats drink from the pond. Fish all too big to take (all over 50cm).
    The heron I caught in my fishing line protection years ago must have told his friends. I did cut him loose and release him unharmed, but I think it freaked him out somewhat

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    Senior Member Rank = Rokusai JimJones's Avatar
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    I use a criss cross of 80lb fishing line tied between the trees in my garden. This is 20 ft high and the wire is transparent so it doesnt look unpleasant.

    Small birds can get in but never had the heron back since I did this..

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    Senior Member Rank = Rokusai Ruffers22's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by davethefish1 View Post
    no such thing as heron proof by size, they are curious determined predators.
    they would probably have a go at a 1mtr chag if the opportunity arose...

    i think a lot depends on where you are... city or rural, how close to large bodies of water.
    as to if you get heron problems.
    i never saw a single heron where i've lived for the last 20 years...until i built a pond...

    i have seen one fly past a few times, checked the 'PIR events' cctv on the pond quite often. and it has never landed that i have seen.
    but my pond is close to the house, covered in winter, and netted at night in the summer.
    made a frame from conduit stetched netting over it and bungee corded down.
    i just take it of during the day when i'm home.

    Oh no!

    I could be in trouble then? I live about a mile away from this place and its rife with the buggers.

    https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/martin-mere/

    But then, my pond is formal and raised, ( so no wading ) and is pretty much attached to the house?
    Then add to the mix Lyra Airedale and Wilson the standard poodle and the fact that both neighbours have ground level wildlife ponds with goldfish and I might be in with a shout???

    https://youtu.be/Rq0UuFlxSVo
    EZ-pond 1200i Semi-Raised Pond, Spin-drifter BD, Oase Aquaskim, Oase Proficlear Compact Gravity, 1x Bermuda 10,000, 1x Evo-Aqua 20,000 Vari Wi-fi Pumps, 2x Evo-Aqua 70L Air Pumps , Evo-Aqua 55w UV, Aqua-Sieve Midi, 3 Tier Fabricated Stainless Shower, Hydro-Pro Z7 Heat Pump, 48" Big Blue De-chlorinator, Profi Auto Feeder & Seneye Pond Pack.
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  28. #16
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion davethefish1's Avatar
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    i'd imagine they can only fit a fish a few inches long down their throats.... but you'd be surprised....




    and a good job we don't have these beasts over here, big enough to take on and beat an eagle

    Heron proof koi-nintchdbpict000272845996-e1477255504471-jpg


    Heron proof koi-nintchdbpict000272846195-e1477255776515-jpg
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by davethefish1; 25-03-2021 at 02:47 PM.

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  30. #17
    We have lots of Herons near us and one flies over the garden most days.

    I designed and built a heron scarer back in the 90's. Mains powered, 2 PIRs and we also had very high water pressure at that house.
    Only saw it in action with a Heron once (though soaked myself many times).
    The Heron did a kind of flap and sideways jump then carried on to the pond's edge ignoring the pulsing spray and "pht-pht-pht".
    However, I don't think this Heron was expecting multiple large fish to swim towards it with their mouths open and sucking loudly expecting to be fed - it flew away.
    Yep, looks like I had a pond full of "Guard Koi".

    Fish in new pond aren't that tame yet, but our rescue cat would probably sidle up to any Heron and deploy full "cute and cuddly".
    My DIY ponds from 1988 until present day.
    All can be found here:
    https://www.ukzero.com/pond.htm

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    Member Rank = Sansai twokoi's Avatar
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    My pond is set in the ground with no shallows just straight down to 4 feet and no plants. I use fishing line all round pond edge. One is about 4 inches off the ground the other about 7 inches they both go round the same pegs which are at intervals round the pond. Someone told me to do this when i first built the pond, apparently the Heron is spooked by the nylon when it catches against it. But I have also heard they will just flop on to the surface if they can't wade in, so just to be sure I also run the lines across the pond still using the same pegs. You don't notice the lines but they do become a pain when you have to net a fish.

 

 

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