If Ospreys nest on a utility structure, bridge, ball field lights or in a place that they should not be, the first thing to do is to try and prevent them from getting the nest set. But what happens if you don’t find them in time and they begin to lay eggs? Laws and requirements are different from state to state and country to country…
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By Jeff Nichols
Their success means increased responsibility now that the nesting season has heated up, many Osprey lovers and utility companies are trying to keep them from building nests on utility structures. In our last article, we discussed the many deterrents that can be used and explained why sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t. It is good to see different organizations such as Boy Scout troops volunteering to help out by building man-made structures for the Osprey to nest on, but to an old stubborn Osprey, that won’t always work… (click the link below)
http://www.offsprey.com/2016/04/ospreys-their-success-means-increased-responsibility/
With the Osprey returning and starting to build nests we have a special limited time offer during the 2016 nesting season, buy 3 and get 3 at half price! http://www.offsprey.com/2016/03/special-limited-time-offer-buy-3-and-get-3-at-half-price/
“OFF”-Sprey Light modification (OG-LM) has been added to our product list. With this modification, the “OFF”-Sprey can be installed on metal muti-light poles (for ball parks, street lights, traffic cams etc…) with easy fastening using metal bands instead of using screws….
See full article at http://www.offsprey.com/2016/03/off-sprey-modification-for-ball-park-lights/
To all my followers, please take a minute to check out “OFF”-Sprey Raptor Deterrent. Help pass the word that there are ways to help keep Ospreys from building nests on utility structures and causing injury and death to adults and young Ospreys alike. Please follow and share with those who want to protect these magnificent birds of prey. Sign up on the site for updates. Here is the latest article from the site: “OFF”-Sprey Now Protects Flat Top Structures.
Thank you!
Now is the time to prepare for the arrival of the Osprey for the spring nesting season.
Every year, Ospreys begin their trek back to the areas that they nest after spending the winter in warmer climates. Many of the raptors fly thousands of miles each year just to lay eggs and raise their young. Unfortunately, not all survive their nesting season due to where they build their nests.
Utility poles are the perfect nesting areas, due to no leaves, limbs or other obstacles that restrict their vision to hunt and watch out for predators. The bad news for the birds are, that they know nothing about electricity and the dangers that await them.
Every year, Osprey nests start fires killing their young, destroying utility poles, shutting down power for customers costing thousands of dollars. Some nest on traffic cameras in Maryland, or on the steel of a bridge that is being constructed, shutting down the work for more than two months.
In South Carolina last year, an Osprey wanted to build a nest on top of a utility pole along side of Hwy 41. Several attempts to deter them by using traffic cones and eventually the Ospreys lost the nest.
One way to prepare for the nest building season, which begins in March and runs through April in most areas, is to install the “OFF”-Sprey Raptor Deterrent .
The “OFF”-Sprey Raptor Deterrent is a very simple device that blocks the access to the utility poles (Ospreys are very claustrophobic) not allowing them to drop limbs and other nest making material on top of the poles. You can see how it works in this video. The video shows the basic model, however there are other models to fit any situation you might encounter and can be customized to fit your specific needs.
Plays on YouTube
Installing the “OFF”-Sprey Raptor Deterrent is about as simple as it gets. Once you purchase the device you can request a link to an install video where you can see it takes about 10 minutes to do a full install. The video shows the typical wood pole installation, but can be also installed on concrete or steel poles with available banding.
The main thing to remember when installing the “OFF”-Sprey is that you must get the height from the pole to the arms of the device at the correct distance. If you don’t get the right distance, you must make adjustments for it to work correctly. Also, be mindful when installing that the wood on the utility pole is not punky or rotted. You may have to use straps instead of screws to attach the device.
Below is a graphic showing the process for planning where you will need to install your device.
The best way to prevent injury and death to Ospreys, and loss of power and money to utilities is to plan early and be as tenacious as the birds themselves.
For more information or to order the “OFF”-Sprey Raptor Deterrent please contact Power Supply Company LLC at (423)624-7330
Website: www.offsprey.com
Email: off-sprey@hotmail.com .
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By Jeff Nichols
Here is where you can find all of the individual places to get more information and watch videos explaining how to install the “OFF”-Sprey Raptor Deterrent and watch how it prevents a pair of Ospreys to build their nest on top of a utility pole. Make sure to watch both videos on this page.
Watch the “OFF”-Sprey Raptor Deterrent in Action
When a utility companies discovers a new nest, the linemen remove the nest, but as soon as they leave, the Ospreys return almost immediately and begin rebuilding. On many occasions the nests are only discovered after a nest catches on fire and causes a power outage and possibly injures or kills the birds. The quickest and safest method to prevent this is that when you notice an Osprey starting to build the nest is to remove the nest and immediately install the “OFF”-Sprey Raptor Deterrent. Ospreys are very claustrophobic when it comes to building nests and what the “OFF”-Sprey does is minimizes the space that the Osprey need to build the nest. After many attempts to build the nest and failing, the Ospreys will move on to an artificial platform or more ideally a natural nesting site.
For less than $200, the “OFF”-Sprey Raptor Deterrent can save thousands of dollars in power loss, damage to utility poles and other structures. From the time you open the box, it takes less than 15 minutes to construct and install the “OFF”-Sprey, saving not only money, but time.
Below you can find more information about the “OFF”-Sprey Raptor Deterrent by visiting FaceBook, Twitter and www.offsprey.com.
To Order call Power Supply Company LLC at (423)624-7330
off-sprey@hotmail.com
The success of the “OFF” – Sprey Raptor Deterrent is highlighted in this article that was written and reproduced with permission by The Tennessee Valley Public Power Association (TVPPA). Click on the image below to view the article.
Click the image to view a short video on how the “OFF” – Sprey Raptor Deterrent works.
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By Jeff Nichols
Each year Ospreys build their nests often on top of utility poles, buildings, homes and other places that could cause damage to the structures and injure or kill the birds. Since these birds of prey mate for life and build their nests in the same place, or as close as they can to the same place year after year, the cost of loss of power, fires and the bird’s life itself grows. Many times utility workers will find a nest atop a pole, remove it (if it doesn’t contain eggs or fledglings) only to see the osprey return to rebuild immediately after the workers leave. Their natural instincts result in Ospreys being very tenacious and not easily deterred from their attempts.
Osprey nest built on top of a utility pole. Notice the twigs hanging down close to the wires. Photo by Mike Nichols
By encouraging the birds to build their nests in alternate areas, therefore voiding these hazards and helping to prevent the osprey from being injured or killed. This often includes loss of power and ultimately increasing costs to residents and utility companies if damage occurs because of the nesting birds.
Mike Nichols. Superintendent of a utility company and 35 years of working in the electrical industry, has come up with an idea to deter the osprey from building on structures that could cause problems.
“As a superintendent of electric for a utility company I experienced the problems that the nesting Ospreys brought with them,” Nichols said. “Our efforts of trying to deal with the problem by purchasing items to deter the building of the nests had little to no success. The cost of the damages and of these failed devices each year continued to rise so I set out to attempt to design something to help with the problem.”
Nichols’ new product “OFF” – Sprey, Raptor Deterrent keep the ospreys from being able to sit directly on top of the poles and build their nests. Generally the Osprey will drop the material for the nest while hovering above the site and then land to place the material for the formation of the nest.
“In my workshop at home, I came up with the design that is now the “OFF” Sprey Raptor Deterrent and my utility has had great results from its use,” he continued. “The device can be used virtually on all types of construction standards and can be easily and quickly installed. It is made of dielectric materials and poses no potential harm to the Osprey or the environment.”
With the use of this device it eliminates the need for unnecessary human contact allowing the failed efforts of the Osprey to be the discouragement as-well-as the encouragement needed for them to find a alternate location for their nests while removing any hazards. Generally, there are natural sites available that the birds can utilize as alternates and oftentimes utility companies will provide manmade structures for the birds to build their nests.
The “OFF” – Sprey Raptor Deterrent restricts the area an Osprey has to build the nest and the flexible tubing makes an unsteady perch. Photo by Mike Nichols
The device keep the Raptors from having a unobstructed opportunity to drop the debris and usually will be deflected away from the target site. The idea that ospreys do not like tight, confined areas along with the flexible tubing makes it nearly impossible for the birds to get near the arms of the poles and construct their nests. It also prevents the birds from getting too close to live electrical wires while landing or taking off where they could be killed or injured as you can see on this video of an Osprey trying to build a nest.
(Click to play on YouTube)
The possibility of fire from the sticks and debris built around or in close proximity to the energized conductors is also eliminated with their absence.
Originally designed for the tops of electrical poles and structures it can be easily modified for other applications and situations. For less than $200 and no modifications to your structure, your worries of damage to utility poles, homes and the birds will be over.
Ospreys can be found anywhere there are bodies of water, along the coasts and around lakes from Canada all the way to Australia. They are also known as “Fish Eagles” because their diet mainly consists of fish.
For more information or to place an order for The “OFF” – Sprey Raptor Deterrent, contact Power Supply Company LLC (423)624-7330 www.offsprey.com
Visit the “OFF”- Sprey Raptor Deterrent Web Site, FaceBook page, Twitter or on YouTube.
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