Has anyone any suggestions to prevent a seriously predatory heron from wiping out ground-nesting chicks in my immediate location? This year, it has devoured 44 mallard ducklings, 9 shelducklings [that brood was one of only 2 breeding pairs in the area that I know of], three broods of lapwing and 4 broods of curlew. This particular bird seems to have developed a definite taste for chicks! Even strings across the pond, and netting in half of the water area for the ducklings was of no benefit - only 3 of 47 ducklings have survived. Suggestions will be too late now for this year but any ideas would be most welcome for next season.
Below phot of the bird in question.
The greatest of faults, I should say, is to be conscious of none.
Thomas Carlyle
I think herons are territorial aren't they? If so why not get a "dummy heron" from a garden centre and stand it at the waters edge where the ducklings are and then maybe your rogue heron will not drop in if he sees another chap already fishing there!