Now you see it, now you don't!

[miguynmkoi]

I'm sleeping better now.....  When everyone started talking about loosing fish from birds I got paranoid and lost sleep wondering if my pond was under attack at night. 
I finally got a net over my pond and it worked out really very well.  The netting is almost invisible and easy to lift if I want to work in the pond.  Also it keeps my DH out of the pond  - he likes to move the plants around when he nets stray plant leaves. 

Hopefully this will deter egrets from the creek from feeding in my pond. 

[joeyb5980]

Yeah, that netting isn't intrusive to the view at all- that should definitely help as a deterrent to pests- even the human kind 

[Ruthie]

I keep a net on both ponds.  If I take it off the dogs are usually the first ones making a beeline for the water.  But I have paranoid visions of herons and egrets and bitterns (a bittern devoured several of my light colored fish last year :'() if I leave it off unattended.  I figure if I was a marsh bird, there are easier meals to be had than fighting with that net.

[Julles]

Where did you get that net?  Size?  Price?

[miguynmkoi]

The net is the kind used to cover fruit trees or vege gardens to protect them from birds.  They come in a few sizes.  I think the one I bought was 14'x14' for about $8 (don't quote me on that) from Home Depot.  I know that any garden center carries the net. 

[marla]

I found a little frog's head stuck in my net today.  I was shaking the net to get it out cause I thought it was stuck by the leg, and I thought the frog was dead.  To far to reach it, even used the fish net to try to knock it loose.  Finaly loosened the net and pulled it to me and ripped it a bit to get the thing out..........It was alive, poor thing I was shaking and prodding at it all that time thinking it was dead.......set him on a stone near the water, he rested and swam off, but I'm going to keep an eye out, I can't believe it lived through all that.   Annette, hope this story doesn't keep you up now.

[miguynmkoi]

    That sounds a bit icky Marla.  What was that frog trying to do?    But I'm not so worried about froggies (keeping fingers crossed) as they normally hang out in other water containers where they are safer, from fish. 

But really the net has made me feel better about the safety of my fish from egret, and possibly crows    Now I go to bed not worrying or praying for the fishies safety. 

[Jerry]

This works for me. Sure, it's not gorgeous, but I am used to it now.

[miguynmkoi]

Jerry I was planning on making a canopy too but out of laziness I just draped the netting over the corner back wall and called it a day. 

[Jerry]

It is easy. One can be creative and make a more architecturally pleasing design

[miguynmkoi]

Just in time!!  Last evening I was preparing dinner outdoors and to my surprise an egret flew low over the backyard (including the pond and pools!!).  First time I've seen one over the house!  Love these birds but I almost freaked out until I remembered the netting I have over my pond.  I'm cool now. 

[miguynmkoi]

The local ducks are doing the mid-air chase for mates too.  Funny how they maneuver all over the air space vying for best male duck to the female.  Sad when I find duck feathers floating down or see feathers and down in my garden.