How To Choose Pond Bird Decoys
After months of planning, hours or days of backbreaking effort and in most cases not an inconsiderable amount of expense, the highlight of any pond project is stocking with plants and finally fish. There is nothing more dispiriting and downright annoying than a visit to the pond a day or two after to find it completely empty of fish. If this has happened to you then you will know that sinking, anti-climatic feeling well.

The fate of the fish will also have been of concern as it is most likely that they have made a quick meal for a passing predator. If this has not yet happened, even if the pond has been established for some time without loss of livestock it is still prudent to take steps to deter predators.

Contrary to popular belief, cats are not the main creatures responsible for taking fish from ponds. They are more likely to take ill fish, as they are not very good at fishing out healthy ones. By far the biggest culprits are birds, especially Herons, Magpies and other members of the Crow family. Netting the pond is probably the most effective method of avoiding any predation but is not always possible or desirable. One way that can work well is to position realistic pond bird decoys.

Decoy Herons Herons are known to be territorial and positioning a life-size heron decoy by the pond can deter the real thing from landing for lunch. The idea is that any passing heron looking for easy pickings will fly by, preferring to look for a pond shaped restaurant where there isn’t any competition.

Decoy Birds of Prey Life size decoy birds of prey, if correctly positioned, will deter most of the other likely predators. Place them in an elevated position so that any approaching birds would feel threatened if they were to land. Our decoy Kestrel even has a spring steel support to give this fast and fearsome hunter the appearance of hovering aloft.

Whichever Pond Bird Decoy is chosen, it is important to move its position on a regular basis. This is more likely to ensure successful deterrence.