Supported now
Pi 4, Camera Module 2, Coral USB Edge TPU.
Use this validated hardware combination for a new tallGuard build.
tallGuard Community Edition
Hardware and setup for local pond protection.
Build a private, pond-side detector around validated hardware, a clear camera view, and practical physical protection. The software is free; you provide the equipment, power, network, mounting, and deterrent.
Before you buy
Check the setup works for your pond.
Coming soon
Pi 5.
Do not buy a Pi 5 specifically for tallGuard until its runtime has been validated.
Allow time
Set aside a half day.
Assembly, mounting, weatherproofing, camera aiming, installation, and a daylight test all matter.
Power and networkReliable mains power and usable Wi-Fi at the planned Pi location.
Practical skillComfortable assembling Pi hardware, following terminal instructions, and mounting equipment safely.
Dry housingKeep the Pi, Coral, and power supply dry; weatherproof the camera opening without blocking its view.
Hardware requirements
Build the pond-side kit
Budget roughly £180-£260 for the remaining kit once you have a working Pi 4. Coral USB Edge TPU availability causes the largest price variation; housing and optional audio deterrents also affect the final cost. Refurbished and second-hand parts can often cost less.
Some supplier links may be affiliate links. They do not change the price you pay.
Already owned
Raspberry Pi 4
The local computer that runs tallGuard.
Assumption: Assumes you already have a working Pi setup with power supply, microSD card, Raspberry Pi OS, network access, and basic mounting.
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Required
Google Coral USB Edge TPU
Accelerates local heron detection without sending camera footage to the cloud.
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Placement
Raspberry Pi Camera HDMI Cable Extension
House only the camera in the nesting box and run this cable back to the Pi in a separate dry location. An 8 m cable has worked well in our setup.
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Deterrent
Fosi Audio V1.0G 2 Channel Amplifier
Drives an external speaker for the configured audible deterrent.
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Deterrent
Pyle PA Horn Speaker, 50W
A weather-suited horn speaker for projecting deterrent audio around the pond.
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Housing
Wooden Bird Nesting Box
Can be adapted as a discreet weather-protected housing for the Pi.
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Weather shield
Microscope Slides And Cover Glasses
A simple clear cover option for protecting the camera opening in the housing.
View productCamera placement
Watch where a heron approaches, lands, and hunts.
A wide view of open water is rarely enough. The useful view includes accessible pond edges and the routes a bird uses to reach them.
Aim
Cover shallow shelves and landing edges.
Prioritise visible fish, shelves, stepping stones, and edges a heron can stand beside.
Keep clear
Protect the sight line.
Mount securely, avoid glare where possible, and review the frame as plants grow through the season.
Route safely
Separate camera and power cables.
Keep camera extension and ribbon cables away from pumps, motors, power supplies, and their cables to reduce interference.
Raspberry Pi installation
Set up your tallGuard device
curl -fsSL https://install.tallguard.com/install.sh | sudo bashRun this command on a Raspberry Pi running Bookworm 64-bit. The installer prepares the local runtime; device pairing and alert settings are completed afterwards.
Known limitations
Keep the view useful.
tallGuard helps with early approach detection; it cannot protect fish when the camera cannot see the relevant pond edge.
Low light
Darkness, uneven lighting, and bright backlighting can reduce useful detection.
Glare and reflections
Water reflections, rain on the lens, and direct sun can obscure fish and pond edges.
Seasonal growth
Plants and algae can hide approach routes. Recheck the view as the garden changes.
Obstructions
Housing, decorations, and a poorly aimed camera can leave the most accessible edge unseen.