headfish headfish
  • Just popping in
  • Just popping in
  • Joined: 23/3/2015 17:12
  • From Hampshire
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 8
  • Posted on: 23/3/2015 17:31
heron - Pond wire fence #1
Hello
i am looking for advise on the best way to protect my fish
from the evils of the heron. For a number of years i have put up with netting and wish to move away from this. What i have in mind is the "Heron Stop Fence Heron Deterrent" which you can get from amazon but plan to make my own version

The pond is made of railway sleepers so has a edge of 8"
should i fence it on the front edge so it cant stand on and fish through ? or the edge closest to the water so i can still sit on.

The stakes i have are 600mm so was thinking 2 or 3 wires

many thanks regards

Attach file:



jpg  (311.41 KB)
18309_55103f0608925.jpg 1000X562 px
2010 2010
  • Home away from home
  • Home away from home
  • Joined: 25/10/2009 22:31
  • From -
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 1003
  • Posted on: 23/3/2015 22:37
Re: heron - Pond wire fence #2
Its your choice at the end of the day, but I would consider the following.

If you have your "fence" on the "outside" where will you sit, and what is to stop the heron from standing on the other side.

If you "fence" overhangs the water what is to stop the heron fishing through the gaps?

Herons can and do learn to bypass things, can't fish through a well kept net.


You may also want to consider giving the fish a "cave" an odd length of soil pipe weighted down? But the fish will have to learn they can hide in it, by which time it may be a bit late
Good quality costs. Bear this in mind before you start.

Sorry if my reply is NOT want you want to hear, but what I have said is true.

We can only go by what you type.

A "thank you" costs nothing, but goes a long way.
headfish headfish
  • Just popping in
  • Just popping in
  • Joined: 23/3/2015 17:12
  • From Hampshire
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 8
  • Posted on: 24/3/2015 10:18
Re: heron - Pond wire fence #3
thanks for the reply
i was thinking putting the fence about 1" in from the outside edge do you think that enough to stop a heron landing on or perching on. after watching videos online i have noticed that they are able to work out gaps so understand i have to go all the way around with the wire
regards the bridge idea i have a floating flower platform 5 foot x 3 foot at one end of the pond which i built.

was also wondering about my floating platform and would a heron land on that and be happy to fish from ?
headfish headfish
  • Just popping in
  • Just popping in
  • Joined: 23/3/2015 17:12
  • From Hampshire
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 8
  • Posted on: 24/3/2015 14:17
Re: heron - Pond wire fence #4
just a update

so i have made my stakes with 3 eyelets on two at the top one in the middle

bottom is 15" high, should i lower this
top is at 26"

really do not have a idea how skilled herons are at landing

Used fishing wire which seems strange way to protect my fish. It's tight but with some flex.

Regards

Attach file:



jpg  (314.54 KB)
18309_551162607185d.jpg 600X1066 px
2010 2010
  • Home away from home
  • Home away from home
  • Joined: 25/10/2009 22:31
  • From -
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 1003
  • Posted on: 24/3/2015 22:35
Re: heron - Pond wire fence #5
Would it be possible to take a picture from the other end (as we see the pond now, stand at the edge on the left and take a picture)
Good quality costs. Bear this in mind before you start.

Sorry if my reply is NOT want you want to hear, but what I have said is true.

We can only go by what you type.

A "thank you" costs nothing, but goes a long way.
headfish headfish
  • Just popping in
  • Just popping in
  • Joined: 23/3/2015 17:12
  • From Hampshire
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 8
  • Posted on: 25/3/2015 10:03
Re: heron - Pond wire fence #6
thanks again for your time,
was a bit worried about this last night wondering if my fence was up to the job, or should i improve it.

Attach file:



jpg  (195.90 KB)
18309_55127a68325e9.jpg 600X513 px
headfish headfish
  • Just popping in
  • Just popping in
  • Joined: 23/3/2015 17:12
  • From Hampshire
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 8
  • Posted on: 25/3/2015 13:23
Re: heron - Pond wire fence #7
other view

Attach file:



jpg  (339.39 KB)
18309_5512a8baafa04.jpg 600X921 px
headfish headfish
  • Just popping in
  • Just popping in
  • Joined: 23/3/2015 17:12
  • From Hampshire
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 8
  • Posted on: 25/3/2015 13:24
Re: heron - Pond wire fence #8
another angle

Attach file:



jpg  (413.19 KB)
18309_5512a8eee9652.jpg 600X1066 px
2010 2010
  • Home away from home
  • Home away from home
  • Joined: 25/10/2009 22:31
  • From -
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 1003
  • Posted on: 27/3/2015 7:03
Re: heron - Pond wire fence #9
From what I can see, and angles can be deceptive, there are too many "holes" in your "fence" There also seems to be nothing / not much on the "island" like wise the back edge.

I am wondering how long before a heron figures out it can land next to you pond, then "jump up" to an edge and then have lunch. The only way is to try it, but it is risky to do so, I think the net was a better idea.


Resized Image

Resized Image

In both of the above pictures they have more "fishing line" than you, and its closer together and its at an angle so it leaves no room to stand.

Resized Image

... and there is this one, nothing like yours, but no where for the heron to stand and be able to reach the water.
Good quality costs. Bear this in mind before you start.

Sorry if my reply is NOT want you want to hear, but what I have said is true.

We can only go by what you type.

A "thank you" costs nothing, but goes a long way.
headfish headfish
  • Just popping in
  • Just popping in
  • Joined: 23/3/2015 17:12
  • From Hampshire
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 8
  • Posted on: 27/3/2015 14:32
Re: heron - Pond wire fence #10
Thanks for the reply

starting to worry myself more about this the more i look.
Always thought herons walked up to ponds and stopped once they spotted a line across it, did not think they would go under or step over it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLcTTkinGqo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUPeSywdDPo

the normal birds that visited my pond for a little drink do not enjoy the wire and seems to be staying away so not sure if that's a good or bad sign.
pigeons used to walk on my old netted set up and enjoy a bath.

The island i have x2 the amount of line and the side next to the fence has 3 lines running across it at mixed heights but it didn't show up very well in the images/light.
what i mite do is move the pots around and fix my brackets lower and add a extra line of wire.

Really do not want to go back to a net since its ugly and you just can not see the fish half as well.