Pond netting against Heron

[Philthy]

What's the current thinking on heron deterrents?

I have a smallish pond, edged with flat paving. There are a few fan tail goldfish in there (as of late autumn last year). Currently there is netting draped over bamboo canes to keep the herons away - not very attractive and not practical once plants start to grow again.
I was thinking about some rigid netted frames that I can rest on the pavers either side of the pond, with the grasses etc. growing up through it.
I've just been looking online at a product called Heron Guard - an interlinked system of mesh panels that float on the surface at the water's edge. Anyone got this / is it effective? How do herons fish? I've never caught them in the act; only seen them flying around AFTER the pond has been raided.

[WendyC]

We have a heron who visits. i have also seen a crow take fish from my pond. I chatted to the local fish shop owner who thought the only way to stop them was a physical barrier, deterrents only work for a short while until the herons are used to them. Herons also have excellent memories and will come back for more.
They tend to feed where they can walk into the water, but I'm sure a hungry heron is resourceful.

[Bigmallly]

I think BillHH uses those interlocking spiders webs thingys. I bought a couple of metal Herons to put round the pond plus a wire with CD's tied to it and so far I've had no visitors..............hope I'm not tempting fate.

[Snow]

many years ago when I had a pond with expensive koi in we had a heron problem. netting didnt work, it stopped them getting away with them, but it didnt stop them stabbing the fish to death through the netting.

No idea what best solution is, but I would think the Scarecrow which I use to stop cats in my garden, would work well. It is a movement sensitive sprinkler, quite a forceful blast, and makes a loud noise. I would think it would deter a heron.

[Guest]

I have rigid wire mesh over mine resting on top of the sides, whilst it isn't pretty it helps with a multitude of issues - ducks, children, otters and heron. I personally would want to get some space between the pond level and mesh as Snow has mentioned if you have a determined heron they just cause issues

[Bill HH]

I think BillHH uses those interlocking spiders webs thingys. I bought a couple of metal Herons to put round the pond plus a wire with CD's tied to it and so far I've had no visitors..............hope I'm not tempting fate.

I do indeed. Sea gulls are my problem and they can clear a pond of fish in no time. I used 1/2 inch black mesh at first but all the plants grow through it and you soon have a right mess. then I made wooden frames covered in mesh and removed them every morning, that was a pain and it looked horrible. But these plastic things I use now are superb, i think they are called "pond guard" and they are interlocking plastic hexagonal panels about 10 inches across, being green they are almost invisible. They float on the surface and you can make them into any shape to fit round plants etc.

I do fetch them out every couple of months and wash them off in the summer because I have blanket weed problems and it tends to grow on them.

http://www.coopersofstortford.co.uk/...FfQatAodRBsACw

[Miss Mouse]

Herons are territorial so the best defence is another heron. You can get plastic ones; we have two to mimic a breeding pair. Seems to work for us.

[Philthy]

Thanks for the feedback.

I considered replica birds but I would want to test them with smaller, less valuable fish just in case they didn't work.
Bill HH's link looks good; a better design than the style I found via Google. These would be the most asthetic choice, and I'm sure offer great protection against gulls, cats etc.
I think I would've gone with these until I read about herons potentially stabbing the fish THROUGH the plastic shapes. I suspect this would be easy for the bird to do given the layout and openness of my pond.
I think I may have to go with the original plan of rigid frames laid on top of the pavers, thus maintaining a space between the cover and the water, and try to make them half-way smart.
What would be the maximum mesh size I could get away with to still be effective?