Moving Osprey off a Communication Tower: Case Study

A few weeks ago, Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control successfully relocated a pair of nesting ospreys from a tall communication tower in southwestern Ontario, where an osprey nest on a cell tower presented challenges.

The tower, a key structure for emergency and 911 services, reached a height of approximately 150 meters (490 feet). The project timeline allowed for 4 days to safely remove the ospreys and address essential repairs and maintenance on the tower.

To ensure the smooth execution of this project, Hawkeye met several stringent requirements, including possessing all necessary certifications, qualifications, and permits:

• Commercial Falconry License
• Rehabilitation License
• PAL License
• Special MNRF permit from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry specifically for Osprey nesting on towers
• Technical qualifications for navigating and working on large communication towers and Trilon rail mounting, in accordance with Occupational Health and Safety Ontario and Health and Safety Canada standard.

Additionally, a Veterinarian was on standby in case their expertise was required during the operation. The Chief of Police for the area was duly informed about the use of pyrotechnics for bird deterrence in the vicinity.

Our team also held certifications as Certified Wildlife Control Professional, Shooting in Sensitive Environments, and were licensed to operate drones for effective wildlife management.

Observing the Osprey Nest on the Tower

Upon arriving at the tower, the crew that was contracted to do the repairs on the tower were already in attendance. The first order of business was to fly the drone with a camera to get a good look at what we were dealing with. We were able to see that nest construction was complete. Even though there were anti - nesting devices on the tower, the wire pyramids that were used proved very much ineffective. Osprey make their nests by dropping nesting material from above onto a “platform” - a flat space big enough for a large nest. Osprey do not place the nesting materials as most other birds do and the wire pyramids actually made for an easier job of nest building for the osprey and allowed the twigs and grasses to fall into the most favourable spots. 

 

Moving the Osprey Nest off the Tower

It was early enough in the spring season that the pair had not yet started laying any eggs. We could see an empty nest using the drone. When we scared the pair of Osprey from the nest we found that there were 2 other pairs of Osprey in the immediate vicinity. All 6 came out to see what was going on.

The second day at the tower preparations were made for the long climb up the tower. We had already checked and rechecked the safety gear and harness. We did another check for safety and donned the climbing gear. We used a rail mounting system which makes the job of climbing so much easier and a little quicker.

Upon getting up to the nest on the tower we bundled up all the material for the nest in order to move it all to a new location. The nest itself was about 2 and a half feet by 2 and a half feet and about 8 inches deep.  All 6 Osprey were very suspicious of what was happening and made their displeasure known. They were quite verbal and offered us a spectacular aerial display.

The crew that was contracted to do the tower maintenance and repairs were then able to make their way up the tower. Hawkeye technicians stayed on the ground and kept an eye on the osprey, using pyrotechnics to scare the birds away from the crew working on the tower. We have a special shotgun that is used only for pyrotechnics that makes a big bang noise to scare away birds. There is no actual “shot” in the pyro, so there is no chance of  injuring the birds. Using a shotgun allows the pyro to reach heights that other pyro guns cannot. It makes a loud enough Bang to scare birds away; something most other noise makers will not. Care is taken not to aim at or near the birds but behind or beside them in order to make them move off safely.

 

Working with the Ospreys

Due to the ospreys' aggression, Hawkeye had to ascend the tower multiple times to shield the crew with special LEXAN shields. These shields, measuring 4 feet by 2 feet and weighing about 10 pounds, featured a unique pattern on clear-armored glass. While the workers could see through them, the birds recognized the barriers and avoided flying into them, preventing injuries. Each technician on the tower had a shield and a dedicated individual to protect them during their work.

While this work was going on, we also spotted a couple of Bald Eagles in the area. Thankfully, the eagles watched from a distance. Bald Eagles are even more aggressive than Osprey and can really do some damage to people.

Restoring the Osprey Nest on the Cell Tower

Once the tower repairs and maintenance were completed, Hawkeye was able to replace all of the nesting materials back on the tower “platform”. There really were no other viable locations for a nest in the immediate vicinity. The company that owns the tower had someone keep an eye on it and the osprey were back the next day to “fix” their nest and make it home again.

Some residents reported gunshot-like sounds from the area to the Police, who assured them that the sounds were part of ongoing work. A Health and Safety Officer from the Government of Canada also visited to ensure compliance with safety regulations, as the crew was unfamiliar to them. Our top priority was ensuring the safety of both individuals and wildlife.

Dealing with an Osprey Nest in a Tower or Building? Call Up Hawkeye!

Handling an osprey nest, especially in a high-up tower or building, requires an expert team like Hawkeye! Our approach specializes in safely and effectively managing situations involving wildlife, adhering to all the government regulations for keeping both humans and animals as safe as possible.

By calling on Hawkeye, you can rely on our years of experience, specialized training, and state-of-the-art equipment to address the issue promptly and professionally.

We also understand the importance of coexisting harmoniously with wildlife while ensuring the safety and efficiency of communication towers and buildings. Our team is equipped with the necessary certifications, qualifications, and permits to handle osprey relocation tasks with precision and care.