Birds

Ornamental ducks can become tame, and wild birds will often attempt to colonize a pond. If ornamental ducks are planned for your pond, you should build a floating island house where they can be safe from foxes and other vermin; a pebble beach should also be built where they will be encouraged to enter and leave the water, and set up an area where they can rest and be fed. This will also minimize and contain the damage that ducks can do to the surrounding flora.

Filtration should be considered to remove the added nutrients that birds add to the pond through their droppings. These nutrients encourage algae and weeds such as duckweed which can quickly make a pond unsightly. Birds can have a devastating effect on a newly established pond, as they damage young plants. If they are unwelcome, early discouragement before they start nesting should generally be effective. Herons also pose a threat to fish keepers as they will often come at first light and take fish from a pond.

There are various ways to discourage them which may be used with varying success. Decoys are available as wrought iron structures that resemble herons but they are often ineffective as the real herons will notice the lack of movement and disregard them after some time. Netting is effective, if unsightly but there are some attractive metal grille options available. Herons like shallow water so a depth of water at the sides of the pond will also deter them