Idaho Power Prepares for Osprey Arrival

By Beth Waterbury, Idaho Department of Fish and Game The return of spring signals the return of osprey from their wintering grounds in Central America. The Salmon River corridor from North Fork to Stanley supports about 40 nesting pairs of these large brown and white birds of prey. As they are in much of the state, most of their nests are built on artificial nesting structures, which provide the visibility, security from predators, and proximity to water that ospreys need. In recent years, Canada geese have discovered the benefits of these structures and become very adept at hijacking osprey nest platforms. When ospreys arrive at their breeding territories and find them occupied, they search out the nearest substitute, which is often a live power pole or communication tower. A live power pole is no place for an osprey nest, as the bulky, stick nests increase the risk of electrical outages, pole or nest fires, and bird electrocution. However, if nest materials are cleared from the platform after ospreys have migrated, Canada geese have no substrate to nest in and won't bother. On April 1, linemen from Idaho Power Co. set to work removing last year's osprey nests in preparation for the osprey's pending arrival. Lineman Travis Bergquist was hoisted 35 to 40 feet in a hydraulic bucket to remove nest material and trim streamers of bright orange baling twine from platforms, while linemen Rob Bybee and Jesse Clausse maneuvered vehicles and kept watch to ensure safety. These guys were on task and did a great job. They genuinely care about our local wildlife. And the ospreys aren't set back by the nest removal. They'll rebuild their nests within five to seven days, which reinforces courtship bonds between the pair. Beth Waterbury is a biologist in the Salmon Region.