Mr Heron came to visit..........

[Daisychain]

Morning to one and all.....

I was in the garden yesterday when a low flying heron made an appearance. Whilst I was admiring him I happened to mention to my other half Id not seen the fish today, or come to think about it, Id not seen them the day before...... then the penny dropped! Mr Heron has had my 12 goldfish for lunch! Never seen a heron around my garden before, didnt even give it a second thought when I put the fish in there, will be leaving it fish-free from now on, leaving it to the snails, frogs, wiggly things etc.

[Rob_D]

Sorry to hear about losing your fish. I had the same experience some years back although some fish survived because the pond was 6' deep. Once a heron knows there are easy snacks around they'll keep coming back. They're not that bothered about dropping into small gardens (like around my pond) but maybe people know of easy and unobtrusive ways to stop them? He might come back for the frogs too!

[Daisychain]

Didint think of that, Ive got 6 pairs at the mo, doing the frog-hop. Dont want him to pinch them too.

[nightshade]

I wondered where all my frogs had gone, I saw a heron arrive and alight directly in the pond, having shooed it off I checked the fish.
There were two 10" fish with with the typical "dagger" marks in their flanks one was out of the water and too exhausted to move and a frog (one of the few left) dead in the pond weed.
A neighbour cheerfully told me it had been visiting the pond for months while we were at work

[Daisychain]

Originally Posted by nightshade

I wondered where all my frogs had gone, I saw a heron arrive and alight directly in the pond, having shooed it off I checked the fish.
There were two 10" fish with with the typical "dagger" marks in their flanks one was out of the water and too exhausted to move and a frog (one of the few left) dead in the pond weed.
A neighbour cheerfully told me it had been visiting the pond for months while we were at work

Why didn't yr neighbour tell you Not very useful really, bit like a chocolate fireguard....!!

[Wild-Woman]

You might be surprised with your fish. Whenever we'd had a visitation from a heron, the fish would 'go to ground' so to speak for days, even weeks at a time. Unless you can see the bottom of your pond and quite sure the heron scoffed the lot, I'd hang on as the fish may yet surprise you.

[Daisychain]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

You might be surprised with your fish. Whenever we'd had a visitation from a heron, the fish would 'go to ground' so to speak for days, even weeks at a time. Unless you can see the bottom of your pond and quite sure the heron scoffed the lot, I'd hang on as the fish may yet surprise you.

I'll keep a look out for them & hope for the best.

[Pam_M]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

You might be surprised with your fish. Whenever we'd had a visitation from a heron, the fish would 'go to ground' so to speak for days, even weeks at a time. Unless you can see the bottom of your pond and quite sure the heron scoffed the lot, I'd hang on as the fish may yet surprise you.

Very true, Wild-Woman! I have had the same happen with my fish over the years!
The pond is well netted but I have had to put canes angled around the pond as the Heron walked or flew into the centre and stood on the large Water Lily plant!