My father is about to build a pond in his garden. He lives right on
the coast, virtually on the salt marshes in North Norfolk, UK (near
Brancaster). If he puts fish in his pond are they likely to be eaten
by any local birds? Basically, given a suitable habitat, are they
likely to thrive without being molested by too many predators? I don't
need a very scientific answer... just the opinion of a knowledgable
researcher would do... thanks.

Dear rai130-ga,

I live in the UK and have had a fish pond in my garden for 18 years
and obtain great enjoyment from it, with one exception: the occasional
visit of the marauding Grey Heron ? the curse of fish keepers. A visit
from them can decimate your fish population. I?ve had one that took
one fish that was obviously too heavy for it and had to abandon it
half-way across the lawn. Unfortunately it died.

Grey Herons are found in North Norfolk. Use this search term and you
will see some bird watching reports on it.
"grey heron" "north norfolk"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&q=%22grey+heron%22+%22north+norfolk%22

I consider that the Grey Heron is your main potential adversary.

You could take a chance and not take any precautions; you may get away
with it for a couple of years, but once a Heron has found the pond, it
will keep coming back until it has emptied it.

Personally, I net my pond. I ensure that the net goes right up to the
edges. You can buy nets for ponds from any good fish pond equipment
supplier. The problem with nets is they are unsightly and can stop
wildlife. I ignore the first problem and solve the second one by
having an unnetted second pond linked to the first. This allows frogs,
newts etc., to take up residence.

Other possible solutions appear in this article by the R.S.P.B.,
http://www.rspb.org.uk/gardens/advice/heronsandfishponds/index.asp?view=print
and in this article in Practical Fishkeeping.
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=36
This is a commercial site which offers a possible solution. I have no
personal knowledge of its efficiency.
http://victoriana.ws/shop/pd4.asp

I hope your father enjoys his pond as much as I do mine. To sit by it
watching the fish after a hard day?s work is most pleasurable and
relaxing.


I hope this answers your question. If it does not, or the answer is
unclear, then please ask for clarification of this research before
rating the answer. I shall respond to the clarification request as
soon as I receive it.
Thank you
answerfinder


Search strategy
Personal knowledge and
herons "fish ponds" uk
://www.google.com/search?q=herons+%22fish+ponds%22+uk&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8

Thanks... i'll pass on the advice