Back in June, I was delighted to see that I had baby fish in my pond. I went on the BBC Nature Messageboards to report this great event but many of the comments that came back warned me of overcrowding, more and more babies year after year etc. I suggested nature may take its course (baby fish must have predators) but no one seemed to think anything would nab my baby fish and that the following summer I too would be pulling out my hair as my pond become more and more packed with fish.
My pond is a modest sized wildlife pond. about 10ft x 15ft and only about 2 an a half ft deep, recently I saw a Kingfisher sitting on the stool I sit on when pond watching and now my baby fish have all but vanished! Would a Kingfisher be able to fish in such shallow waters? I have also seen a water shrew (but not since the spring) and know we have a nest of rats close by because my cat keeps catching the babies. Anyone out there know who or what is the most likely culprit?
2006-12-08 21:44:47 · 4 answers · asked by Dr Watson (UK) 5 in Pets ➔ Fish
We've had no cold weather to wipe them out. the pond weed is still growing and there's plenty of cover.
2006-12-08 21:49:53 · update #1
Back in the 70s, we had a small pond in our back garden fished out by kingfishers. We could sit in the lounge and watch the birds perching on a nearby tree, diving down, coming out with a fish and returning to the perch to eat it. It was a shallow pond (2 feet max), but it didn't stop them. Eventually, we had to put a net over to save the few remaining fish, some of which had cost quite a bit. I was only a kid at the time and didn't appreciate the beauty of the birds.
2006-12-08 21:57:29 · answer #1 · answered by cstspeedy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have seen kingfishers nab fish from shallow ponds before. Any bird of prey in your erea could have nabbed the baby's from your pool. A rat would have drowned trying to retrieve them. rats are'nt very good swimmers believe it or not. I have seen rats drown in small bowls of water. Best bet is to get a mesh cover or build one to go over the top of your pond. It will keep the animals out of your pond and keep any leaves and other debrie out as well.
2006-12-09 09:22:27 · answer #2 · answered by xxmack675hpxx 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My friend has a tiny pond and we caught a Heron stealing the fish she went and got a bronze cut out statue thing and placed it at the edge of the pond the Heron has not returned and the fish are fine!
2006-12-09 05:56:46 · answer #3 · answered by That 70's Show Gal 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Utoh, they were probably dinner by birds or some animal.
Unless you had a cold, harsh winter that may of wiped them out.
2006-12-09 05:47:56 · answer #4 · answered by Nikki 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋