Tim takes up the story.........

We have had problems with herons for a number of years, and living between Crown Lakes and the rivers and dykes of the fens means we are in their direct flight path!

Two years ago (2006) the herons raided our garden and took about one third of our goldfish. We soon learned that an electric fence would stop the herons gaining access to the garden pond, but would ultimately result in their attentions being diverted to our Koi pond nearer the house. One Heron in particular took great pleasure in winding us up by sitting on the fence directly outside our kitchen window!

As we already had a pergola which is sheltered on two sides we hung pergola netting on the two open sides to restrict the last available entry points.

By November the weather was getting quite cold and we wanted to protect our fish from the freezing winds etc. We took the netting down and sandwiched two layers of bubble wrap in between it to create a winter cover. It may not be the most elegant of covers, but it is doing a good job of keeping the temperatures relatively stable and a few degrees above the goldfish pond at the other end of the garden.

Due to the added few degrees this has given, the fish have quite happily fed throughout most of the winter, hopefully the cover will continue to cope with the bad weather until it can be removed in the spring.

 As for the Heron, well he seems to have taken the hint and hasn't returned to the garden or pond this year......................yet!