The grey heron (Ardea cinerea) is known for its long neck, black feathers on its head, and stalk legs for wading. The body of a heron can be up to 60cm in length and they can boast a wingspan of around 6ft. Typically found near sources of water, herons can cause a headache for those with fishponds, preying on costly ornamental fish. Although fish are their primary diet, they’ll also eat amphibians, small rodents and ducklings. The heron hunts by standing stationary in or near shallow water before striking prey with its long bill.

Signs of an infestation

Herons are solitary birds but will nest in a colony called a heronry. Nests are quite noticeable, created high in the top of trees. A single tree can house up to 10 nests. The most obvious sign of a heron problem is spotting the bird by your pond or noticing that your fish have been disappearing. Herons tend to feed early in the morning or late in the evening so you may not catch them in the act. Look for broken plants or feathers where the heron may have been.

Prevention

Before installing a fishpond or stocking a pond, consider installing wire mesh around the pond to stop the heron feeding off the fish. Once a heron has found a source of food it can visit regularly, it becomes harder to break their habit.

Treatment

There are a range of heron deterrents available in the Defenders Garden Care range, designed to protect ponds and ornamental fish. The standing Heron decoy can be positioned near a pond so other nearby herons assume the area is already being predated, and they prefer not to eat with others.

For deterrents that sit on the water, the Croc: Floating Pond Protection and Diamond-Light Floating Pond Protector use natural motion and light-reflection to scare off predators.

It’s best to re-position decoys from time to time to avoid herons becoming familiar with their presence.

The Heron Guard forms a barrier that sits around the edge of ponds to stop the beaks of herons from striking at protected fish.

The Pop-Up Pond Cover can be erected and positioned over ponds of a size of up to 2.4mx1.2m. The raised cover with side skirts protects the fish, and is secured with the ground pegs provided, stopping herons from getting underneath the mesh. The cover forms a barrier between the fish and any stalking predators, including cats. It also stops herons from wading into the pond.

Use the Jet-Spray Pond & Garden Protector as a physical deterrent against herons, cats, foxes and other wildlife. The jet-spray is motion-activated, helping to reserve water when the product doesn’t need to be in use. The deterrent creates an immediate impact once the movement of the heron is detected, humanely scaring it away.

For best results, it is recommended that multiple methods of control are used at a time. It is illegal to kill, or attempt to kill, herons under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.