What action can be taken to discourage herons from visiting a pond?

To discourage herons from visiting a pond, deepening the edges for steep underwater slopes is an effective strategy. Herons prefer shallow water areas where they can easily wade to hunt for fish and other aquatic creatures. By deepening the edges of a pond and creating steep slopes, it becomes more difficult for herons to access the water comfortably and to hunt for prey. This makes the pond less appealing to them, as it reduces their feeding opportunities.

Adding floating plants can provide some cover but may not be as effective in deterring herons since they can still access the water, provided the plants are not too dense. Changing water chemistry or decreasing the fish population may affect the overall ecosystem and do not directly address the heron problem. Thus, making the water less accessible by deepening the edges serves as a more targeted approach to keeping herons away.