Fake snakes set around the pond might make birds stay away, too.

I actually saw both the gator and the heron decoy options on some websites when I was researching the netting. My pond's not really big enough for the gator but I thought that the heron looked pretty neat, right up until I saw the price! The netting may not be all that attractive but for about $25 I can get enough to cover the pond. I think that's the route I'll be going although I will drop hints to my family that a heron decoy might make a good christmas present! ;)

The water scarecrow was never in the running as the pond is right next to the front sidewalk and I can just imagine how many times both my brother and I would get sprayed on our way in and out of the house. Not to mention any visitors that we may get!

Kara

You might look around for other heron statues to use instead of the pricey one. IME birds aren't very bright about this sort of thing--I have friends who put out an egret windsock and half the male egrets in the neighborhood came to dance and display for it.

I'll bet THAT was hysterical to see! Birds aren't real smart. I have chickens and can attest to that!

Yeah, I have to disagree that they aren't that smart. I just posted a link to a heron decoy in the other thread about this.

And what I meant by disagree was that I *do* believe blue herons are very smart.