duck pond predation

[EssBee]

We have a small pond surrounded by fairly dense vegetation that is being predated by something that kills and leaves carcasses minus heads we had one bird minus its beak that we had to dispatch. alongside this pond is a footpath that could limit our choice of deterrents - useful tips on A; what the predator could be. B: possible deterrents.
Thanks for looking, any ideas are appreciated.

 

[dvbookshop]

Mink. I ran a shoot with a pond and we lost lots of duck, many with bills bitten off. It was horrific. The culprit was coming from some distance away, passing under a road through a culvert then following the stream across two fields to the pond. The ducks were terrified. I found out what was happening when my dog found a carcase in the stream and then put a grid over the culvert entrance in desperation.. You need a mink raft or it will kill them all within days.

 

[Stalker62]

 

[opticron1]

Sadly, I've seen whole clutches of mallard taken by a mink - trapping and killing them is the only recourse. The other one that was a bit of surprise was to see well grown ducklings taken by a Heron - didn't leave any parts behind and just swallowed them whole (after a struggle), not much you can do about Herons though!

 

[Lace1978]

My opinion is an otter
The solution is more difficult to do within the law

 

[baguio]

My opinion is an otter
The solution is more difficult to do within the law

Either way the ducks will all be gone if nothing is done. An electric fence would sort it out too but it would have to be a good one and the OP doesn't say how big the 'pond' is.

 

[Lace1978]

Either way the ducks will all be gone if nothing is done. An electric fence would sort it out too but it would have to be a good one and the OP doesn't say how big the 'pond' is.

I totally agree all duck will disappear if nothing is done eletric fence is one solution but depending on how close and busy the footpath is could cause more problems with the public

 

[Foxyboy43]

Yep - an otter is a likely suspect - a grill and low electric fencing might work, maybe…

 

[baguio]

Get some cage traps out a bit lively too. Neither otters or mink get bored of killing. They only stop when there’s nothing left to kill.

 

[Bramble]

Camera would be a start? Then cage trap for mink or fence for Otter?

 

[Bowderdale]

I’d guess an otter, having had numerous attacks from them over the years we decided to build a fence around the ponds to keep them out, followed by 2electric fences with the biggest energizers possible for maximum power. The fence was 6ft chicken wire heavy duty, 2ft turned out at the bottom and 2 ft turned out in a U shape at the top using brackets and strainer wire, with a top electric wire within this U shape so if they climbed up they got a fair blast from behind and on the nose. It has worked so far but it did take a few quid to do.

 

[gixer1]

Could be either - both will have similar evidence…although different foot prints. You’ll see the nails on a mink, an otter you won’t usually.

As said, it will stay as long as there’s an easy food source…

 

[Flash G 74]

My opinion is an otter
The solution is more difficult to do within the law

Hello, That is what killed all the ducks on a farm I know, but no eaten carcasses

 

[EssBee]

Thanks for the suggestions/observations etc. I think I have all the info required. Cheers

 

[mudman]

Chewing bits off, usually beak/ faces and sometime feet, sometimes leaving the bird alive, are all indicators of an Otter at work

 

[mudman]

Last person to get caught shooting an Otter received a custodial sentence….just saying

Although he was foolish enough to do it close to other people, other people who took photos…

 

[sikamalc]

Otters are a protected species. Anyone who thinks killing a protected species is within their rights is certainly heading for a fall, and loosing their FAC along with possibly their personal freedom for a while.
Putting anything suggestive on here that is breaking the law is NOT required, and as this is an OPEN forum, which many seem to forget at times is not needed.

 

[Penyard]

Evidence would strongly suggest otter. I don’t put down ducks any more as they were hammering them. I feed partridges to goshawks and buzzards instead!!

 

[Smellydog]

I've got goss and buzzards but also a few wild pheasants and partridge. They watch out for them quite well.
Ducks though and mustys....no chance. "Like a sitting duck...."

 

[Roebuck9]

please keep us informed of what happens as we are all so inquisitive.