Herons have invaded my yard HELP!

[a1tinkfans]

Well, about three months ago my neighbor told me that she had these "pretty, large birds" landing in her yard and oH! the kids just loved looking at them...UNTIL they started leaving their POOP everywhere.
She and her husband found that they were actually nesting in an old tree so they took the tree down. Well, guess what,
THEY DECIDED TO COME VISIT US NEXT DOOR!! I think they are still in another of her trees.
So, they can now be found sitting at the edge of the pool (relaxing, ) OR on the roof of the house (right atop the solar panels) and as lovely as they are, and as much as I like birds,
THESE THINGS ARE HUGE AND THEIR POOP IS HUGE AND I>C>K>Y!!!!
Anyone know a safe humane way to perhaps urge them to move along.
If it wasn't so funny, I really think I'd cry...they are making a mess and it AIN'T PRETTY!
BY the way, have you ever seen whats IN that poop? I mean crab claws and more, REALLY!!!
ANY IDEA'S WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

Can you post pics of the poop??

 

[a1tinkfans]

Can you post pics of the poop??

LOL,
Please don't encourage that behavior, my husband is seriously losing his mind telling everyone he sees what he has found. All I know is these darn birds are eating quite well!!

 

[freckles and boo]

Birdie Depends?

 

[Virgo10]

My guess is they'll probably move along once it starts getting cold.

Pictures please! I love birds. Umm, pictures of the birds... not the poop!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'm afraid I don't have any advice right now. Do you know what kind of Herons they are? Green, Great Blue, Little Blue, and Tricolored all are possibilities. As a birder, I love any excuse to research the internet about different birds, so I'll see what I can find out. I know that Green Herons are nesting right now (we've got a nest and new babies out in the creek), and the PP was right-come cooler weather, they'll probably move on.

 

[Disney Doll]

Perhaps your local audobon society could help????

 

[TTFN]

This reminds me of when I was soooo excited to have a red tail hawk nest in my yard....right up until the babies started learning to feed themselves. They would drop the "less choice" parts of their catch on my patio. I didn't go out without a hat that year! They still nest close by, but not in my backyard! My only advice is to wait them out...they will move on. Not fun, though!

 

[a1tinkfans]

I'm afraid I don't have any advice right now. Do you know what kind of Herons they are? Green, Great Blue, Little Blue, and Tricolored all are possibilities. As a birder, I love any excuse to research the internet about different birds, so I'll see what I can find out. I know that Green Herons are nesting right now (we've got a nest and new babies out in the creek), and the PP was right-come cooler weather, they'll probably move on.

Hello! We did some research:
Based on "the Birds of NY field guide", we believe they are Great Blue Herons. Whats strange is that the book says that they are usually further north in NY (off L.I) in summer, so maybe ours are just "vacationing" at the pool after all,
I must say they are amazing to watch when taking off to fly or coming in for a landing. We actually did not see them today, but we had STORMS all day!
I guess we'll just wait it out till the cold weather rolls in.
Sorry I didn't take pix..... but I've also never posted pix and not sure how to do it! If I can get the DH too, I'll certainly post.

 

[a1tinkfans]

This reminds me of when I was soooo excited to have a red tail hawk nest in my yard....right up until the babies started learning to feed themselves. They would drop the "less choice" parts of their catch on my patio. I didn't go out without a hat that year! They still nest close by, but not in my backyard! My only advice is to wait them out...they will move on. Not fun, though!

Too Funny, I obviously "share" your grief!

 

[jonestavern]

Would some sort of pinwheel (or any moving things like pennants) set up attached to yr roof or places they roost work?

You could drill holes in a two by, glue the pinwheel sticks in, then tack the two by onto yr roof
Or string up pennants?

Wow! I can't imagine what dead sea creature/poop smeels like baking in the sun


How about a giant crab inflatable?
It'll either draw them or have them shrieking in terror

Moving scarecrow?


Jean

 

[Simba's Mom]

Birds are scared off by rubber snakes (they think they're real and somehow it keeps them away). However, rubber snakes scare me too and I'm not sure how Herons will be-they're pretty big. Also, you can get owl decoys. But make sure that if you go that route, you stick the decoy on something so it doesn't move. Our neighbor has one hanging from a tree and then he wonders why the birds aren't scared off-birds know real owls don't sway in the breeze! FWIW, the herons seem to be pretty active at this time of year, nesting, etc.