Ospreys and utility poles don’t mix; raptor deterrent protects both

Each year some ospreys build their nests on top of utility poles, buildings, homes and other places that could cause damage to the structures and injure or kill the birds. Since these birds of prey mate for life and build their nests in the same place, or as close as they can to the same place year after year, the cost of loss of power, fires and the bird’s life itself grows.

Many times utility workers will find a nest atop a pole and remove it (if it doesn’t contain eggs or fledglings) only to see the osprey return to rebuild immediately after the workers leave. Their natural instincts result in ospreys being very tenacious and not easily deterred.

Encouraging the birds to build their nests in alternate areas avoids these hazards and helps prevent the osprey from being injured or killed.

Mike Nichols, superintendent of a utility company who has 35 years of working in the electrical industry, has come up with an idea to deter the osprey from building on structures that could cause problems.

Nichols’ new product, “OFF” Sprey Raptor Deterrent keeps the ospreys from being able to sit directly on top of the poles and build their nests. Generally, the osprey will drop the materials for the nest while hovering above the site and then land to place the material to form the nest.

“In my workshop at home, I came up with the design that is now the “OFF” Sprey Raptor Deterrent, and my utility has had great results from its use,” Nichols said. “The device can be used virtually on all types of construction standards and can be easily and quickly installed. It is made of dielectric materials and poses no potential harm to the osprey or the environment.”

The use of this device eliminates the need for unnecessary human contact. Generally, there are natural sites available the birds can utilize as alternates, and often, utility companies will provide man-made structures for the birds to build their nests.

The devices keep the raptors from having an unobstructed opportunity to drop nesting materials, and usually theywill be deflected away from the target site. The idea that ospreys do not like tight, confined areas along with the flexible tubing makes it nearly impossible for the birds to get near the arms of the poles and construct their nests. It also prevents the birds from getting too close to live electrical wires while landing or taking off where they could be killed or injured. To see a video, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=XunCV_3-Y5g&feature=youtu.be.

For no more than $200 per device and no modifications to a structure, worries of damage to utility poles, homes and the birds will be over. For more information, go to www.offsprey.com or call 423-624-7330.