plastic heron?

awh53 · 30-06-2011, 10:18 AM

do these things work in keeping herons away and would it keep seagulls away

as i wa doing some maintenace and left the net off and before you could say boo a seagull was down and away with one of my ghost koi

Doghouse Riley · 30-06-2011, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awh53

do these things work in keeping herons away and would it keep seagulls away

as i wa doing some maintenace and left the net off and before you could say boo a seagull was down and away with one of my ghost koi

In my opinion, they're a bit like copper bracelets, some people swear by them.
You'll get some people saying they work and others that they don't.

Birds aren't as thick as the makers of these would have you believe.
Personally, I believe if it doesn't move other birds won't be bothered.
In fact on our golf course, where we have ponds and a lot of lateral streams, the crows often go for any heron they see near their nesting sites. The herons know they're on a hiding to nothing, as they are ungainly and can't make tight turns to evade them.

Seagulls are a problem, as they can land on an un-netted pool.
Herons are wading birds and will only step into a pool if it's shallow enough for them to stand in without getting a damp rear-end.
They've long necks and can reach down a fair way. They've also the patience of Job and will stand still for ages at the edge of a pool waiting for a fish to swim by. Some people will tell you they've never seen a heron near their pond. They usually won't, unless they're up at five o'clock in the morning, first light is "breakfast time" for herons.

I've large York stone rocks which ring the perimeter of my pool and they provide an uneven surface for any heron on which to stand and the water surface is over a foot below the top of them, so it would be difficult for a heron to reach down, but not impossible. I've never lost a fish to a heron in 25 years, though they occasionally land on the patio and immediately fly off, or have been seen standing on the garage roof. But these sightings are rare.
However, as I've small koi presently in my pool, I've a black coarse mesh net over mine, which is not too unsightly. I've garden wire stretched across the top of the rocks in a few places to keep the net about a foot above the water surface.
I'll keep it there until the fish have grown bigger than a heron would normally attempt to go for.

pondy · 30-06-2011, 11:22 AM

Ive been told that if you have a plastic heron, you need to move it daily into a different position, so that the local birds dont get used to it.

as for the seagulls, a friend of mine was having major issue's with seagulls.
he cured all the birds around his pond by getting a fake Tawny owl to sit on his fence. try and get one that moves if possible even if it a floating head type he swears by it and says it was worth every penny

awh53 · 30-06-2011, 12:54 PM

have seen a nice size resin peregrine falcon that looks real may try that if i cant find a owl
will still get a plastic heron if only for decoration

Spoder · 30-06-2011, 01:30 PM

I am sure i read somewhere either online or in a magazine that the plastic herons can in fact attract other herons especially during mating season , whenever that is for herons

miles41 · 30-06-2011, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spoder

I am sure i read somewhere either online or in a magazine that the plastic herons can in fact attract other herons especially during mating season , whenever that is for herons

Yes, I was thinking that too about them attracting other herons

Limey · 30-06-2011, 02:42 PM

Don't herons have a set flight path? If you are on a herons flight path you will have to take precautions... I wish the guys I met at Migoto-koi in Leeds on my trip there were on this forum... they live near a heron sanctuary... yes! They I am sure would be able to advise best protections,... will see if I can get them to come through Dave at Migoto, they deal with them and wish I could remember clearly the things they told me, was too interested in the fish heh.

fosters koi · 02-07-2011, 01:55 PM

aspect two, sells cheap and good quality plastic owls

on my owls there eyes light up and make a hooting noise,they are solar powered.dont know if any help

Ned · 02-07-2011, 03:32 PM

I saw a photo on another forum of a heron using the plastic dummy as a perch. There is a dummy eagle owl on my wifes aviary but sparrow hawks still attack the aviary.

Bryan from Wymondham · 03-07-2011, 02:08 PM

I've lost many fish over the years to Herons. The joys of living in Norfolk.
Pics from 2 different days. As you can see I even tried tacky Plastic butterlies to keep them away.

And yes I did take this pic, the Heron just did not care. Lovely looking bird.

I put netting over my pond as you can see in the 2nd pic, it just pulled it to one side.