On Wed, 2 May 2007 09:45:07 +0100, vortex2 wrote:

Hi,

In the next couple of weeks we are seriously "upgrading" our garden pond to
be approx 15m^2 (is/was about 3 m^2).

Local herons seem to feed well from garden ponds, so historically we had
fruit cage netting covering ours to prevent them harvesting our fish. A
complete eyesore.

Any ideas/suggestions for a less visually intrusive method for making the
pond unattractive to herons (and for that matter wild ducks)?

I see here http://www.wildwoodsonline.co.uk/aca...eterrents.html
that there are quite a few commercial options none of which have any great
aesthetic appeal.

I am thinking that a grid of taut fishing line on 1 foot-ish centres will
unobtrusively "cut the mustard". Is this likely to be effective?

Any other suggestions?

We had our pond uncovered for 5/6 years and never had any troubles. We live
right in the heart of Broadland, so herons abound! We had one start to pay
an occasional visit three or four years back, although I think we always
managed to startle it as I wasn't aware of losing any fish. That prompted
me into making a cumbersome and unsightly timber frame with black netting
stretched over.

That has just finally collapsed, and reading up for heron protection, it
seems they land and walk upto the pond. Putting stakes into the ground
about a foot or so away from the edge and running a line around the top of
the stakes will stop them approaching the pond.

The various kits sold for the purpose seem to cost far more than the
contents warrant - I used a dozen black-coated metal plant stakes, 21" or
so long, at £1.25 each. I also settled on a single thread of green
polypropylene garden twine about 12 to 15" off the ground, rather than
fishing line. It's quite easily visible to humans and pets alike, and
doesn't look at all out of place IMO.

The other thing which is well worth doing, if you have sufficient depth
(3ft or so in centre) is to place a small plinth in the centre of the pond.
Mine is made from black plastic, about 2'6" square and supported on a
simple frame made from waste-pipe fittings. This leaves a space of about 6"
or so under which the fish can retreat if they feel threatened. I just
stick a water lily or two in containers on top of the plastic sheet.

--
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