Ah, the perils of a job well done (or going well) ...

I've spent much time and effort over the last 7 years
making my yard as natural as possible, in order to
attract birds and wildlife. Cleaned out the exotic
plants (especially the Blackberry!), put in lots of
native plants, and put in a pond and waterfall. It is
maturing and filling in nicely, and I will require a
machete to reach the back fence next spring.

Then a Great Blue Heron comes along and attempts to
clean all my goldfish and Koi out of my pond. He did
a good job of it. But he could not QUITE manage to
eat the largest Koi (about 11 inches long). But he
managed to skewer it several times, and toss it out
onto the lawn. Ouch.
The Koi is currently inside, in a bucket, recovering.
The Heron keeps coming around for seconds ;)

I wonder if I could find a source of free live fish,
and maintain the pond as a heron feeding station?

My list of birds seen in the yard is at about 60
species now. And about 5 amphibian species, one snake
species, and a wandering Douglas Squirrel (the only
native mammal I've seen in the yard). I have not SEEN
bats yet, but I hope they are using the houses I put
up for them.

I try to ignore and discourage the non-native eastern
Gray squirrels, rats, Starlings, House Sparrows, and
Cats. But I do not mind the occasional Opposum ;)

Still a work-in-progress, but the Heron may indicate
that I might be making some head-way!

Guy

=====
Guy McWethy
Renton, WA
mailto: lguy_mcw at yahoo.com



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