"The Great Blue Heron"

Started by jgp12000, January 30, 2024, 05:13:32 PM

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jgp12000

January 30, 2024, 05:13:32 PM Last Edit: January 30, 2024, 05:17:06 PM by jgp12000
I have a fish basket tied to my dock to put fish in until I have enough to clean.I made it a few years ago out of PVC,vinyl covered hardware fabric, and zip ties.I had a hatch on it and took it off because I never used it.I keep a count of how many fish are in there and usually clean them after I get 10,but I never leave them in there over 3 days either way. In summer they will die. Last week I noticed fish were missing and suspected there was a hole or a wire tie gave way,no holes were found. The next a.m. on the frost covered dock I noticed some foot prints leading to the basket,the thief was a Great Blue Heron. It had eaten 3 bass,3 crappie,and 2 bream. So I made another hatch and use a small bungee to keep it closed.I read blue herons have night vision,it still checks the basket everyday though,he can see the fish but can't get to them hopefully.They must be pretty smart birds,his buffett days are over though... 

JasonGotaProblem

#1
January 30, 2024, 05:21:10 PM
I made something similar for mullet as a teen. We left it at my friend's parents dock on the Indian river. Kept it under the dock to block the sun.

Was stolen within a week. But the idea was sound.

I'll take blue heron over cormorants any day though.
Any machine is a smoke machine if you use it wrong enough.

jgp12000

#2
January 30, 2024, 06:42:57 PM
I also have Anhinga(Water Turkey)similar to the cormorant.Anhinga can dive to 60ft and stay under for 1 minute.It's no telling how many fish they eat I don't know about.

oc1

#3
January 30, 2024, 06:48:39 PM
It's a difficult time of year for blue herons.  The water is cold and their prey is staying deep.  They're just trying to hang on until spring.

Swami805

#4
January 30, 2024, 07:19:54 PM
We have an area here in Santa Barbara that has a lot of big estates with koi ponds. There's several people who stock them with gold fish for the herons. Must look like the Golden Arches from the sky.
Do what you can with that you have where you are

oldmanjoe

#5
January 31, 2024, 12:43:41 AM
 :(   Yep .  This time of the year the Herons come off the bay , and hit the local ponds .

     The rest of the year Owls and hawks watch over the pond .
Grandpa`s words of wisdom......Joey that thing between your shoulders is not a hat rack.....    use it.....
A mind is like a parachute, it only work`s  when it is open.......
The power of Observation   , It`s all about the Details ..
 Forget about all the reasons why something may not work. You only need to find one good reason why it will.   Alto Mare

jgp12000

#6
January 31, 2024, 11:40:00 AM
Good pix Joe,them guys are hard to get close to!

JasonGotaProblem

#7
January 31, 2024, 02:06:19 PM
Quote from: jgp12000 on January 31, 2024, 11:40:00 AMGood pix Joe,them guys are hard to get close to!
Say that to the ones that tear up my yard looking for worms.

And don't get me started on sandhill cranes.
Any machine is a smoke machine if you use it wrong enough.

jgp12000

#8
January 31, 2024, 02:41:24 PM Last Edit: January 31, 2024, 02:52:12 PM by jgp12000
Making me want my own night vision ;)  the GBH also seems aggressive or territorial towards the great Egrets.
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