Dave
Southward is a Consumers Energy employee and a Blissfield Troop
8 Boy Scout Leader . He was instrumental in facilitating the
construction of the new nest platform, as shown in the above news
article, and documenting the successful transfer of the osprey nest to
a location atop a new pole installed adjacent to the old one. Dave
worked with OWSEM member Barb Jensen during the course of this project.
(Web Editor)
This
is what the Hillsdale nest looked like mid-summer 2007, when the female
was sitting on eggs. As one can see, it is in a precarious position
atop the power pole. Consumers Energy had concerns for both the
ospreys and their workers being at risk with this nest location.
Jim Kortge photo; used with permission.
On
March 4th, the osprey's nest was carefully removed (intact) from the
power pole to begin its short journey Northward to a newly set pole
with Boy Scout constructed nest platform.
Dave Southward photo; used with permission.
Moving the nest took a bit of finess so that it would not be damaged.
Dave Southward photo; used with permission.
Consumers
Energy workers used their truck mounted buckets to load and secure
the nest to the new platform. Note: this platform design
includes two upright perches so that the male can watch the nest while
the female is incubating, but not be in the way.
Dave Southward photo; used with permission.
Looking
up from the ground at the nest platform and the transferred nest in its
new location. Hopefully, the returning ospreys will like their new
digs. We should know that answer within a few weeks.
Dave Southward photo; used with permission.
To discourage the ospreys from using this pole again for nesting, new hardware was added . We will know if this hardware works within a few weeks also.
Ospreys can be a bit stubborn and may try to build a new nest on this pole in spite of these deterents.
This
is what the Hillsdale nest looked like mid-summer 2007, when the female
was sitting on eggs. As one can see, it is in a precarious position
atop the power pole. Consumers Energy had concerns for both the
ospreys and their workers being at risk with this nest location.
