Now I know why the fish are spooked

[clm]

The fish have been acting funny the past week or so. Not coming out from under the waterlilies, super cautious when travelling around the pond.
Yesterday afternoon, hubby was out with the dogs by the pond and a big ol Heron almost landed in the yard. Saw hubby and the dogs at the last moment and changed it's mind. I hope it's just another migrant on it's way south. I've had them here before and they're not successful trying to fish in my pond, so they don't normally stick around for long. It just takes a while before the fish come back around to feeling safe again. With the nice weather coming the next while, it would be good if I could get them to eat well before going into another cold snap. I guess we'll see if their hungry tummies make them brave.
My friend has had a 3 of them visit her pond the past few weeks too.

Cindy

[Jackie Ramo]

That would spook them for sure. Seems a lot of the birds are later this year in migrating. Still see the odd hummer in the garden. Better hummers than big blues :yup:

Yesterday it was a huge flock of red winged black birds, felt like thousands but probably only a couple of hundred of them all around the yard and ponds.

[RTFT]

you hit the nail head on!!!:hi5:
My fish have been acting the same and last week we took them all out and realized two were missing (just garden store quality) Normally if a raccoon gets one the carcass will be laying behind the shed. For the entire week I could not figure it out. Then one night I walked in the back yard and this huge bird flew off. I picked up one of the lawn herons and put it beside the pond with some fishing wire all over. the Heron has not returned (lucky for him).
They have not eaten all week. And I think I will be closing the pond down this weekend.

[koi keeper]

I think the birds jackie mentioned are at my house.

[Jackie Ramo]

:lol: Looks like you got a few of mine. I could send you the rest if you'd like.

[marla]

That would spook them for sure. Seems a lot of the birds are later this year in migrating. Still see the odd hummer in the garden. Better hummers than big blues :yup:

Yesterday it was a huge flock of red winged black birds, felt like thousands but probably only a couple of hundred of them all around the yard and ponds.

I was hoping that the heron were just ignoring my yard this year do to the construction of the "Man Shed", now you go and ruin it by saying they are migrating late :doh: I'm still hoping they don't show up, the lily pond is not netted....yes I could stand to loose a few goldfish, but not all.