Lisa

Sad, frustratkng, disappointing!

I'm so sorry...

Hey Lisa, have you tried stretching some netting over the surface of the pond? I'm thinking the large hole stuff that they sell as a so-called deer fence. It might be enough to stop the easy access.

I was going to ask the same thing. The family to which I gave all of my goldfish has a thick rope net over the pond. It is stretched across boulders surrounding the pond so that it is 2 feet above water level in places. That prevents herons from being able to reach through it to grab fish.

Another option is to let floating plants (water lettuce and hyacinth are good) cover much of the surface so that predators can't see the fish.

Guessing it is more likely raccoons rather than herons, which are scarce in most of DC. Also, when raccoons get into a planting of corn they tend to sample each ear, consuming just a fraction of what they "catch', much like with the fish.

Do have water hyacinth. To my mind, netting takes away from appreciating the pond. Have been repositioning our plastic owl. Think every sentient being is wise to that non-threatening folly. Do have a motion-dectector light. All a goof.

The netting I'm speaking of is black and would almost disappear. But, maybe you need more water hyacinth?

Thing is, I like seeing the fish. Apparently so does the neighborhood raccoon/oppossum. When we have lots of water hyacinth, we can't see the fish. The only hint of fish movement is when water hyacinth collide.

I agree with GT, Herons usually eat the whole fish not just a part.

A few more ideas: If you can't make your pond deeper, stack wall stones around it so that raccoons have to reach farther to catch the fish, or build hideaways for the fish using pavers set on cobblestones (Home Depot sells 4" grey ones). Although they weren't attractive, we also sank some 4" PVC "hubs" (pipe connectors) in our pond. Better yet, get some large PVC hubs/elbow connectors and balance a large paver on top. There are commercially-available hideaways, but read the reviews first because many aren't positive.

My cat was freaking out about something outside this morning, and I opened the patio door expecting to see a neighbor's cat. Instead, I saw a fox looking for birdseed on one of my tray feeders!

A fox? Cool!
Good ideas, Muddy, but we've tried building up the pond surround with rocks and have sunk a PVC shelter for the fish. Spread something called "Repels All" around the pond. Utterly useless. Think we have to forego having fish for a while.

I have used the black plastic netting across the stream..it does disappear as long as it is tight. We have no fish..just used it in autumn to collect the major leaf drop.

We finally made a series of wooden frames with window screen and lay those down for a few weeks.

I know exactly why the perpetrator eats only the heads. IT'S THE ZOMBIE RACOON APOCALYPSE.

And why do the deer pull my autumn joy sedum out of the ground...no eating...... Just leave the thing butt up to the sun!

Rosie, they eat mine. So not sure what's worse.

Saw the little frog on the siding of the house. The house is over a hundred yards from a creak, quite a hike for a frog who was only about an inch long. I didn't think I needed to do anything to help the frog. So I turned the hose to Mist and gave the frog a shower.

As I was typing the text above, I just had another thought. I thought it was a frog because it was green. Now looking at the photo closely, I am starting to think it was a tode... Any idea? Can todes 'climb' walls?

It is a tree frog, does not live in a creek. Commonly found on or around houses where lights attract insects at night.

It is a well misted tree frog!

looks just like the two or three that are now living in my deck plants. We check almost every night to see if one's on the wall by the light.
Yeah, we are easily amused.