A great blue heron has been snacking on goldfish from a London backyard pond

A backyard pond in London's Old North neighbourhood has become an all-you-can-eat buffet for one large feathered visitor.

Jason Stewart said he and his wife were enjoying their usual morning coffee earlier this week when they spotted a great blue heron swoop into their backyard and land by their pond.

"I thought maybe it was going for the snails," said Stewart in an interview on CBC's Afternoon Drive. "Then it popped up with one of our big orange goldfish in its beak. That's when we realized what was happening."

The pond has been a backyard feature for a few years now, complete with a fountain, wildlife, and, until recently, a thriving population of goldfish. Stewart said he initially received a few fish as a gift when the pond was installed. They multiplied over the seasons, with dozens of baby fish appearing each spring.

But lately, the numbers have been dropping.

"I thought they were just hiding under the rocks," said Stewart. "It wasn't until I saw the heron that I realized what was going on."

The entire encounter was caught on video and shared to a local Old North Facebook group, where it sparked a mix of awe and amusement. Stewart said he received dozens of messages, some from neighbours who had seen the bird flying overhead and others who were surprised to learn herons were hunting so close to home.

"They're beautiful birds," he said. "And if one gets a meal out of it, I'm not too fussed. It's nature. Hakuna matata."

While some pond owners might net their water features or install deterrents, Stewart is taking a more relaxed approach.

"They've survived raccoons and everything else for a few years. If I lose a few more, I'll just get more."