Thank you to everyone who answered my query about my 'shy' fish in the new pond. Have followed everyone's advice and have been very busy planting up in and around the pond, checking water, spending time with my gish etc., which is why I've not answered before now. The fish have become more confident and are coming up at feeding time, they were also very curious when we were putting stones in to act as a ramp for frogs and were coming very close to have a look! Really felt I was getting somewhere, however, we had a set back this morning when we discovered a heron sat at the pond edge! All the fish seem to still be there - but have naturally been a bit shy again today. I have rushed out to buy a net and have covered the pond to protect them but am really disappointed as it has spoiled the whole appearance of the pond, not to mention that frogs will no longer be possible. Is netting the only solution? What do I do about my reed plants that are now bent over? Am I ever going to get the hang of outdoor fish ponds?

Depending on the size of that heron, he can be quite a thread to the fish. I still can remember the story a friend of mine told me, when he walked out to his ponds in the morning and came upon a 6 ft tall heron. He figured if he just came up screaming and yelling at the heron, he would get scared and fly off. Noooo! The way it ended was, my friend had the run of his time with the heron chasing HIM!!
If you really dont wonna go with the pond netting (it can be disturbing for the plants and the overall appearance) have you looked into getting some of those devises that spray water, when it detects a moving object? I think you can find it online quite easily (DrsFosterSmith.com or Petsolutions.com). Although I am not sure if such a device can tell the difference between a person closing in or a heron. You might gonna get an involuntary shower...

Knock on wood - I have never had that problem, but we do have herons around. Could you possibly shot at the bird to scare it off? Maybe just leaving hte netting on for a while will discourage him. As for the frogs I think you would leave "crawl space" so they can get in and out. I know my water pond looks bad right now. I have a large "leaf catcher" I put over it in the winter - it is made from 2x2's and chicken wire. I have it proped up on saw horses and a big tarp over it to shade the water - it has been really HOT here! Sorry I can't offer any other advice. Good luck.