A new osprey family has recently taken residence in a nest which was moved by BC Hydro crews in December.The provincial Wildlife Act specifically protects osprey nests year round. The Utilities Commission Act requires BC Hydro to maintain property and equipment in a condition to enable it to provide safe and reliable service to the public.Ospreys often build nests within 200 meters of large rivers and lakes, and prefer the tallest snag or structure that provides unfettered access. The nest in question is along the Trans-Canada Highway near the Squilax Bridge. Often ospreys will build nests on BC Hydro poles and structures and will continue to add to the nest year after year. This is a danger to both the ospreys and the electrical system as, over time, an electrical contact could prove deadly to the ospreys and cause a power outage or pole top fire.BC Hydro, where possible, will re-locate existing nests to free- standing nest poles and discourage further nesting through the use of bird guards on the initial structure. Gene Bryant, representing BC Hydro Community Relations, described hydro’s approach to nest moving. “We place a new taller pole with a specially designed platform, close to the original nest. Once the ospreys have left for the winter, we will carefully move the nest to the new pole.” In almost all cases, he said, when the ospreys return in the spring, they will readily accept the new nest location. “This is much safer for the birds and our customers.”BC Hydro and, particularly, the power line technicians who do this work take pride in making a contribution to the natural environment. Bird contacts and bird strikes are a common cause of power outages in some areas. By providing a safe and secure nesting site for the ospreys, they can safely co-exist within close proximity to the electrical system.

Salmon Arm Observer