Originally posted by Norm Kopecky:
Cecil, do blue herons really eat that much? Cormorants, no question. But unless a person has a small, shallow pond or is in a situation like yours where you sell fish, can a heron really do that much damage?
We have a heron around our lake every year but only one. So I buy into that theory that they are territorial. We just don't have that many places for they to stand and hunt so they're restricted to certain areas. I've seen them take small fish many times but have never seen a fish that looked like it might have been hurt by a heron. What is your opinion?
If I had just a recreational pond I wouldn't mind, however, as i have related before they have a tendency to jab anything that moves in my pond and that means even large fish. Another thing I don't like is they are a parasite vector, and since I've kept them off with nonlethal means I don't seen any more "grubs" in my fish. Fish with grubs don't sell well either. Of course my yellow perch are eating the snails which may be a factor also in breaking the parsite cycle.
All a heron has to do is stand in your pond and parasites drop out of it's throat into the water. Part of these critters reside in their throats. If you don't believe me read up on it.
I was kidding about the three S's. I would advocate nonleathal means before I would purposely do that. In fact, I can apply for a federal permit to take one or two out if I want to, but have not done so.
I keep telling myself I'm smarter than they are and I should be able to keep them from doing damage. Other than one smart ol' bird that wouldn't take no for an answer and thank God has disappeared, I been pretty successful with the brightly colored catfish line strong around the pond.