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Nesting Osprey Use of Electric Distribution Poles in the Willamette Valley, Oregon: An Assessment of Nest-management Practices and Electrocution Rates
Completed
This work was conducted to improve understanding of issues associated with nesting osprey and powerlines. The goal was to assist managers with information they might use to reduce osprey electrocutions and associated power outages.Migratory osprey, a large bird of prey, frequently use electric power structures as nesting platforms. Since 1993, the osprey population has increased dramatically in the Willamette Valley in western Oregon, concurrently increasing the use of power structures as nesting platforms. The electrical configuration at many of these poles presents an extreme electrocution hazard to osprey. Most federal agencies mandate raptor protection measures as part of permitting requirements, yet procedures for reporting raptor electrocution statistics are not required by regulatory agencies or the industry itself. This study contributed to development of a cooperative framework between industry and government agencies for efficient management of osprey, with the information integrated into a report by the Avian Power Line Interaction Committee, Edison Electric Institute.
Fitzpatrick, Martin - Deputy Center Director
Phone: 541-750-1032
Email: Martin_Fitzpatrick@usgs.gov
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