The Pond Digger Forums

BLUE HERON WARNING!

We have had several customers visit our construction office in the last two weeks to ask about a large bird hanging around their yard (pond).  You should have seen the face on the person that had no idea they were actually there to hunt their Koi!

Additionally, we have received emails and have had several phone calls regarding this bird, the mighty Blue Heron, at our office and at our local pet store, Daryl's Pet Shop.

I thought I would drop a line to everyone and send a warning.  If you have not been visited by a Blue Heron, yet, this year consider yourself lucky. However, make no mistake about it, these birds are on the move right now and just might pit stop at your pond for a little snack; Your favorite fish!

Do yourself and your fish a favor; do a tune up on your Scarecrow motion sensor device or if you don't have one, install one asap.  Other methods to deter the bird include putting a net over your pond or putting a dog on patrol next to the pond 24 hours a day!  

Don't fall for; "A statue of a blue heron will keep the bird away", because I have reports of sexually aroused herons, fornicating with heron statues!  TRUE STORY!

Here is a little excerpt from my September Pond Column in the Redlands Daily Facts:

3) Do A Check Up On Your Scarecrow Motion Sensor Device.
It may seem like the nasty water fowl predators, i.e. egrets and blue herons, have not bothered your fish in months but let me remind you that your water temperatures and fish metabolisms have been at their peaks for months with the summer heat!  

You will find that as your water temperature cools, so will the metabolism of your fish, equaling slower reflex movements from your fish meaning, your fish become EASIER PREY for the T. rex of water gardens!

Be sure you have a working Scarecrow motion sensor device for every 100 square feet of surface area in your water feature to detour predators from hunting your pets that deliver so much tranquility to you year round.  Don't forget to install fresh nine volt batteries to your Scarecrows and be sure your water source to the unit(s) is ready to rock and roll.


God Speed!

Eric Triplett
The Pond Digger
Exotic Aquatics
www.theponddigger.com


P.S.  We have plenty of Scarecrows motion sensor devices in stock.  If you need help, stop in and see us or visit us on-line to purchase a Scarecrow for your pond.  It's a small investment to protect your beloved finned friends from the T. Rex of water gardening!

SCARECROW LINK -

Thankyou for the warning, but for us it was 2 days too late. We lost about 9 fish. What a very sad day. I was told if you string a small wire around the pond it will keep the monster from stepping in, any truth to this?

There is some truth to the string but the persistant bird will not let that get in his way day in and day out.

I have seen a crafty pond keeper run 15 or 20 piano wires from his patio cover over to a couple of trees in a criss cross pattern.

I can tell you that the bird is very cautious to leave a quick escape route available.  So it is very unlikely that the bird will land and WALK very far under any obstacles, wire, gazebos, patio covers, shade cloth etc for fear of losing that quick escape route.

Sorry to hear about your loss!  One of us, kids, wife, I, neighbor, yard worker, someone left our Scarecrow OFF the other night next to my newest pond and wiped us out of some super cute fancy goldfish!  

I feel your pain!

I had my pond enlarged last spring from approx. 800 gallons to 2000 gallons. About 3 weeks later I saw my first Blue Heron. I’m not sure if he managed to get one of my 9 Koi or not. They have been hiding on the bottom of the pond ever since!

So I went to the store and bought 50 lb. Fishing line and installed it in a grid pattern across the whole pond. Then I put up a 3’ high decorative fence around it as well. The bird did come back a few days later but didn’t try to get in the pond and I saw him do a couple fly bys as well. So far, so good.

Well I’m keeping my fingers crossed that maybe the Heron will think “this is too much work, I’ll go somewhere else”!!!!!

Thanks for sharing your experience. Let's hope that someone uses your plan and method to protect their fish.

Well so much for the fishing line! It worked for a couple weeks, but I had one or maybe two persistent Blue Heron’s and it didn’t phase them in the slightest. I looked out the window and there he was standing on the rocks ready to hunt! I didn’t give him a chance to actually get “in” the water, so I really don’t know if he would or not. I didn’t want to take the chance. So now I have an unsightly net over the entire pond. So sad. I will keep it covered for the winter at least.

I have been reading up on the scarecrow. Does this contraption actually work long term or do the Heron’s get used to it and ignore it? Also can you use the pond water as a hookup or do you need to have a hose hooked up to it?

PS…I have a Heron decoy as well….waste of money!

Hey Goldie,

I contend that the Scarecrow needs to be connected to a main water source like a garden hose or deticated water line.  I don't believe that pond water has ever been use in a Scarecrow application, I'm not saying that it couldn't be done.

I have found the Scarecrow to be extremely effective.  HOWEVER, the heron is a very persistant hunter and will show up day in and day out figuring out the radius of the spray.  

One trick that works good if you use a garden hose is moving the location of the Scarecrow Motion Sensor Sprinkler Device around the pond every couple of weeks to keep the bird(s) off balance.

What ends up happening is the battery will run low after approx. one month or two and when the sensitivity on the unit is weak, the heron will score!  I suggest changing the battery on the device monthly.

An interesting & disgusting habit that the heron uses is standing at the edge of the pond, possibly where your Scarecrow unit doesn't cover and then BARF into the pond thus attracting your unsuspecting fish to come and feast on the puke!  That's one heck of a last meal if you ask me!

Sorry for that graphic picture, I hope you didn't just finish eating. Hope I have helped

Good luck,

I've read about them puking to "entice" the fish. That really makes me mad, the ruthless so and so's!!!!! They will stop at nothing!

Well it's been a long, cold, snowy winter here in Upstate New York. I just took the net off the pond. I didn't want to leave my pond unprotected, so I went out and bought....yes...more fishing line...only this time I have strung it in a grid pattern in two different layers. One a couple inches off ground level and another at 2 1/2- 3'. So if one doesn't get him the other will!

I WILL NOT LET HIM GET THE BEST OF ME OR MY FISH!!!!

Great to hear your pond season is underway!  Stay in touch and keep us up to date what's happening on the east coast.

Happy Pondering,