Team effort sees Osprey nest atop Rogers Wireless tower safely relocated
Posted June 7, 2019 11:45 am.
Last Updated June 7, 2019 2:42 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
SALMO (NEWS 1130) – Tall cell towers are often prime real estate for Osprey nests because of the vantage point it gives the raptors.
However, that recently posed a challenge for maintenance workers when updates needed to be made to a Rogers Wireless tower near Nelson.
“This is an area where they like high-up locations, they want to see their food source,” Lisa Rossington, with Rogers, explains. “Unfortunately, it prevents our network teams from working on the tower or doing maintenance.”
While the issue isn’t entirely uncommon, Rossington notes it’s a delicate process that needs to be dealt with carefully.
“These are a protected species, so once they start nesting, they cannot be moved,” Rossington says. “So when we see an Osprey trying to build a nest, this is something that the whole team comes together — we work very closely with biologists. It isn’t a quick solution, it does take planning.”
An Osprey nest was successfully and safely relocated after maintenance crews found it on top of a Rogers Wireless tower near Nelson. (Photo credit: Rogers Communications)
This type of situation can also create a lot of stress for the birds, as well as impact the equipment and potentially Rogers customers, she adds.
Through a team effort, the nest was successfully relocated earlier this month.
“Our network team worked with local biologists and B.C. Conservation officers and a helicopter company,” Rossington explains, adding a nearby tree was selected for the relocation.
“In the same area, close by, overlooking the valley,” she says. “A platform for the nest was prepared, so the helicopter pilot lowered the nest from our tower to the ground, secured it to the platform, and then it was lifted to the top of the tree and bolted into place.”
However, it wasn’t an easy feat. Rossington says the nest was about 300 lbs.
She notes word back from the team suggests the Osprey appear to be happy, and the birds have already been spotted in their nest in the new location.
Planning the relocation is said to have taken “a couple of months.”
“This issue happens across the province. We have network teams in Kelowna who also deal with similar things.”
Rossington explains when Osprey are seen trying to build a nest, a preventative grey cone is placed on top of the tower to encourage the birds to find another location.
Rogers is the parent company of this station.
