So sorry to hear about your fish. Could it have been a neighbor's cat?? We have heron's here but so far (knock on wood!) none have found my pond. My one cat sits along the edge of the pond but she hates water--we just laugh at her as her tail switches like crazy. The others aren't interested when the fish are outdoors--I have to chase them off the edge of the indoor pond all winter though. How's the upside down waterlily????

Hi Patti,
I do not think it was a cat but unless I actually see something who knows. Only saw one this morning, either deep hiding or gone. I guess on the good side they spent yesterday spawing so the eggs should hatch and replace them with no predators in the pond. I may get 20 mountain minnows from PJ pets to dump in there to keep the skeeters down this year and get more goldies next year. Hopefully once the free meals are gone the critter will move along. Thank heaven the weather is finally improving, no more snow, knock on wood.

Other predators that will take on a fish: raccoon (somewhat unlikely but they're opportunists) and mink/weasels - they WILL go for fish! Cats in our neighborhood will dabble but can't seem to bring up the courage to really get their paws in there (bunch of wusses! LOL!). Gulls, if they can figure out how to land or get into your pond would leave the type of mess you've mentioned.
---David

We do not have coons around here, and I do not think mink or weasel would come so far into the center of the city. I have often wondered about whether I was going to find a gull floating in the pond, especially after the mallards last year. Something else for the dogs to chase. I will have to leave the door oopen for them at night. I have 2 of the 7 left that I can see. I have a bit of net strung across the feeding spot, hopefully it is the hunting spot as well. I am pretty sure it is a large bird from the droppings left behind, add insult to injury. A gull would make sense. Thanks

2 of my pet chickens were brutally murdered by a coon last night, and others injured. I hate them.

That is terrible. Can you believe that some people make pets of them, or feed them. We had a friend out in Vancouver whos' neighbor put out food for them, her deck was literally crawling with them every morning. Of course when we were out there there was also a pet store that was selling gophers to be pets also if you can believe that. They were $200. each, and people were buying them. hope your survivers heal fast.

Thanks squirelette,
I've heard that raccoons (raised from babies) can make great pets. I just have very mixed feelings about them when I've seen their handywork.
Thanks for your well wishes.