protecting pond from predatory birds

we have an existing pond that will be enlarged this year. we've
witnessed herons and falcons plucking goldfish from our pond (one brave
falcon actually ate a goldfish on our deck leaving the skeletal remains
for us to clean!)

what's the preferred way to keep our (soon to be) koi fish safe from
predatory birds.. new pond will vary in depth from 1 to 4 ft.

thanks!

wrote in message
ups.com...
we have an existing pond that will be enlarged this year. we've
witnessed herons and falcons plucking goldfish from our pond (one brave
falcon actually ate a goldfish on our deck leaving the skeletal remains
for us to clean!)

what's the preferred way to keep our (soon to be) koi fish safe from
predatory birds.. new pond will vary in depth from 1 to 4 ft.
========================
Bird netting works for us. It also keeps out all the other predators we
have here.
--
McKoi.... the frugal ponder...
Zone 6 TN
~~~ }((((o ~~~ }{{{{o ~~~ }(((((o

I've had problems with hawks and ravens, mostly with my turtles. The
hawk is the only one interested in the fish. I'm hoping my new dog (a
semi-feral who had a pelvic fracture and is now adjusting to life as a
yard dog) will chase off the big birds.
Gabrielle

wrote:

we have an existing pond that will be enlarged this year. we've
witnessed herons and falcons plucking goldfish from our pond (one brave
falcon actually ate a goldfish on our deck leaving the skeletal remains
for us to clean!)

what's the preferred way to keep our (soon to be) koi fish safe from
predatory birds.. new pond will vary in depth from 1 to 4 ft.

thanks!

The problem with the two birds feasting in
your pond, being that they are both protected,
so you have to be careful with how you
deal with them.
My concern is that netting will work for herons
but I wonder if a falcon would 'see' the netting
and end up getting tangled in it and drowning.
Or you would get injured trying to get the falcon
out (know of someone who suffered grevious
injuries with a bird of prey).

Over the years I don't remember much posted
on rec.ponds of ponders discouraging hawks and
the like. We've had reports of problems but no
solutions.

If I were you I'd contact my local Fish and Game
Dept., they are probably listed in state agencies
in your phone book or you can go to Google, enter
your 'state' and 'fish and wildlife dept.'
I'd talk to them and ask, specifically, about the falcon.

Rec.ponders report netting, electric shock fence and
motion activated sprinklers helping with herons.
Decoys (alligators, other herons) have worked for
some. I've had good luck with my two dogs. Also think
the heavy tree cover in my yard keeps the pond from
being spotted in the spring and summer.(Does make
a perfect perch for kingfishers, who've I've conceded the
battle to).

Another option, if you are remodeling, is building somekind
of overhanging structure, gazebo, shade structure. Really take your
predators into your planning.

And lastly, and this takes a certain mindset, you could
always see that pond as a wildlife pond, stocked with feeder fish, to
enjoy nature and build another specifically designed predator proof
pond for fish (I'm assuming you have an unlimited budget here... ;-)

Keep in touch and let us know how it goes!

kathy :-)

Went to another board to ask and one person said her most effective
deterrent agains such accomplished birds, such as eagles and osprey,
was depth. Four feet.

Maybe you could block part of your pond to keep the fish in the deeper
part and use the shallower end for plants only?

kathy

They make a nice unit that you can attach to a underground water supply
that is a proximity sensor. When something gets within the range of
this device it basically shoots out a stream of water like a powerful
golf course sprinkler. Of course you need to remember to shut the water
supply off before you approach the pond!

has anyone tried stringing fishing line across the surface of their
pond?

wrote in message
oups.com...
has anyone tried stringing fishing line across the surface of their
pond?
===================
Yes. It did nothing for herons, King Fishers, mud turtles, bullfrogs and
snakes. I found *myself* tripping over it. :-( Coons don't come near our
house because of the dogs.
--
McKoi.... the frugal ponder...
"The Universe is a figment of it's own imagination."
~~~ }((((o ~~~ }{{{{o ~~~ }(((((o

I've heard of one person having good luck with fishing line
but their situation was unique in that their pond lay between
two green houses. The fishing line made it impossible for
the birds to land anywhere close and I think those particular
birds weren't comfortable walking too great a distance landing
elsewhere and 'hiking in'.

kathy :-)

"kathy" wrote in message
ups.com...
I've heard of one person having good luck with fishing line
but their situation was unique in that their pond lay between
two green houses. The fishing line made it impossible for
the birds to land anywhere close and I think those particular
birds weren't comfortable walking too great a distance landing
elsewhere and 'hiking in'.

kathy :-)
=====================
We would see the herons arrive and land in the trees nearby. They'd come
one at a time. I never knew exactly how many there were. They'd then swoop
down on the lawn maybe 10' from the pond - and slowly walk towards it. I'm
sure they were wary of the large 5 to 6' water snakes that would hide in the
rock necklace and plantings around the ponds. They'd hop up on the rocks
and fish from there - standing dead still. And as my husband can tell
you,... it was almost always the prettiest, the flashiest and most colorful,
the friendliest fish to go first. :*(

I've never been able to replace the beautiful translucent yellow butterfly
koi we lost right before we bought the nets. She was the last straw.
--
McKoi.... the frugal ponder...
"Death is hereditary."
~~~ }((((o ~~~ }{{{{o ~~~ }(((((o