Nasty Devil Bird

[marla]

Well due to my stupidity in believing DH that the fish would be fine and hide, all but 2 of the goldfish in the little pond became lunch for a heron :crybaby: . The 2 survivors, 1 baby from this year and 1 from last year are now safe (I hope) in the main pond. We also lost most of our frogs, and the little koi and goldfish that I found last weekend in the lilypond to our surprise, no way to catch them. This bird was back this morning, I scared it off 3 times before leaving for work. The net on the main pond is secure and I have placed numerous item also around it so it can't get close enough I hope to stab through the net. Came home for lunch and even put the Wonder Horse down by the pond hoping maybe it might think it was a vicious predetor. Hoping it will soon fly south.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/grandmavis/lilypondconstruction661.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/grandmavis/lilypondconstruction663.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/grandmavis/lilypondconstruction677.jpg

[Terri]

I feel for you .. been chasing off blues and green herons for a few weeks. The kingfishers have finally got into the game and found 'free undisturbed meals' in the front water garden so are leaving the back ponds alone.

The little bratt Green pretty much cleaned house in the little water garden - which has been netted pretty much since June with fishing line strung across the top to keep the kingfishers out. Smart bird, he was able to navigate between the fishing ling and land in the pond! Thought for sure he got all the Wakin but found one, my favourite, hiding in the water lettuce roots - poor thing was snapped up (scales missing on both sides behind the gill plates) but managed to somehow not become a meal! I drained the water garden today, removed all the fish and tropical plants, looks bare :( but I'm not feeding that damn bird anymore fish! Cheeky bugger was lurking around the back fry pond while I was busy with the water garden - :grin: just as I saw him (for the 3rd time) SheLa came out of no where and nipped at his feet as he flew off.

[Jackie Ramo]

Not at my pond so far this year but down in the park where I take the dogs.

Do you have a scare crow device Marla?

[Siberman]

Several years ago I bought a trio of metallic balls to float on the pond surface. They are a chrome/silver finish (like those "gazing spheres" for the garden) and they alledgedly scare off predators.

I bought them after an encounter with a large water moccasin and a nerodia water snake who were killing my fish. I can attest to the fact that I haven't had a single snake in the pond since , so it might be worth a try to discourage birds.

[Jackie Ramo]

How do you anchor the balls in the pond? Not sure if it would work but it sounds pretty. Got pictures?

[Siberman]

Sorry for the late reply. The balls float free and move with the current.

[Jackie Ramo]

I'd need to anchor them as if not they'd end up in the skimmer or worse blocking the skimmer.

[Siberman]

A small suction cup and a weighted line should do the trick.

[Jackie Ramo]

I wonder if the 'witching' balls I have float. Hand blown glass with a place to hang them built in. Will have to dig themout of storage and see. Would look pretty in the pond.

[Siberman]

I'd look for something in plastic. Imagine broken glass in a pond.

[Jackie Ramo]

Duh! I think I was having a senior's moment :HAHA:

[Marg]

Perhaps the large Xmas balls for outside decoration made of plastic ?

[philly]

Last year I was at the pond store and saw some metal type ball that floats in different colors but from my experience nothing beats invisible fishing lines, :yup: had one of those nasty birds that took one of my koi 3 years ago strung the fishing lines across the pond a few days later saw a bunch of feathers on the ground, guess what never saw that bird again. :grin:

[marla]

We have the main pond netted. In the spring before plants grow to much we net the lily/goldfish pond. We have one floating shinny ball in there and the aligator, next year I think I'll get a couple more balls. I also heard heron do not like shinny things out of the pond so I may put up a few shepards hooks with wind chimes or those twirly things.

[philly]

Let me know if those shiny floating ball works just in case that nasty bird that was around here ever returns.

[marla]

Will do, the lily pond is more of a test......goldfish in there, yes I would hate to loose them but would hate to loose the koi more, that is why so far it stays netted. Last year we only saw the herons fly over non stopped that I know of.

[philly]

I'm glad your pond is safe for now with the covering, hope there will come a time when you wont need the netting anymore. :yup: