I read with interest your comments on the herons. We have a 2 year old smaller pond (1/4 acre) We initially stocked our pond with hybrid bluegills and a few catfish. The bluegills took off great and by this spring we were catching softball size fish regularly. Since the pond is on a natural spring we also have creek chubs by the thousands. We've started having a regular visit by a single heron and I figured he was working over the many creek chubs. That was until I noticed that after his visits 2 or 3 of my bluegills would show up dead or dying with punctures or cuts on their sides. My wife has since added some large koi to the pond and we can tell when the bird has visited during the day. The koi which usually come to feedings with abandon will be shy and very flighty when the heron has been at the pond. Tonight while feeding the koi he flew up and landed in a tree and watched with interest while we feed the fish. I finally clapped my hands enough to encourage him to leave. They are beautiful birds and I don't deny him his right to survive...just not at the expense of my fish!