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the enemy of the grey heron (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter merl1n
- Start date
Mynydd Merlin
Well-known member
merl1n said:
Sorry, As Mark said, there is no UK Bird of Prey that would tackle a Heron. Only possible natural predator may be a fox, even then they would be unlikely to take on that formidable beak. I guess your only option is to net the pond or try a plastic heron 'decoy', since there is some reasoning that only one hunting heron will occupy a single food source.
Good luck.
Whitethroat
Well-known member
Well, there is a bird of prey that is capable of hunting and killing Grey Herons.
It's the White-tailed Eagle.
There are also reports of White-tailed Eagles killing young Osprey, Common Buzzard, Black Kite and Goshawk as well as Greylag Goose, Stork, Crane and Whooper Swan.
Eckart
It's the White-tailed Eagle.
There are also reports of White-tailed Eagles killing young Osprey, Common Buzzard, Black Kite and Goshawk as well as Greylag Goose, Stork, Crane and Whooper Swan.
Eckart
Pluvius
Well-known member
I have seen a heron being attacked by two peregrines in Donegal. Successfully
www.peregrinesbirdblog.blogspot.com
www.peregrinesbirdblog.blogspot.com
Stephen Dunstan
Registered User
Can someone enlighten me as to how these predators would be used in a maintained pond setting?
Stephen.
Stephen.
saluki
Well-known member
Pluvius said:
Falconers used to fly Peregrines at Herons at one time, though they were generally flown in a 'cast' (ie. two birds). The Heron was rarely killed, the Peregrines 'binding' to the Heron and bringing it down to earth, whereupon falconer on horseback would ride up and rescue the Heron.
Gyrs were also flown at Herons (and Red Kites), though the outcome might have been a little more deadly, as Gyrs are far more likely to battle with quarry when on the ground.
saluki
Stephen Dunstan
Registered User
saluki said:
Two Peregrines and a man on horseback - it gets more and more relevant to the real world!
Stephen.
saluki
Well-known member
Stephen Dunstan said:
Hi Stephen,
I simply posted to illustrate that Peregrines are capable of taking Herons. It was, indeed, the 'real world' - if not the entirely natural world - a hundred years or so ago.
An account of Heron hawking can be found here:
http://users.cybercity.dk/~ccc12787/misc/seebright01.html
saluki
Nigel G
Well-known member
In the light of Saluki's observations you can buy a peregrine decoy at the link (scroll well down the page). They also sell heron decoys which they claim will deter real herons.
http://www.aquatics-online.co.uk/Z229409.asp
http://www.aquatics-online.co.uk/Z229409.asp
Isurus
Well-known member
saluki said:
hence the hamlet line about telling a hawk from a handsaw....plastic herons generally don't work. stringing fishing line as a taut barrier about 6 inches above the water and 6 inches in from the edge seems to work for us as they don't like bumping into it when wading. you might need more than one layer depending on the shape of your pond so they can't stand on the edge and crane over the line though.
Stephen Dunstan
Registered User
saluki said:
Yes I do understand that, I was being flippant.
Regards,
Stephen.
JWN Andrewes
Poor Judge of Pasta.
Stephen Dunstan said:
Certainly made me chuckle!
James
