Caring about ospreys
Caring about the environment also means working to improve it.
In this case, it means creating “homes” for ospreys — magnificent, fish-eating raptors with wingspans of five to six feet.
These birds, sometimes confused for bald eagles, don’t choose to nest just anywhere. Sometimes they select the top of a PPL Electric Utilities power-line pole or tower. That comes with some risk, since they must coexist with high-voltage power lines.
There are very few natural nesting locations suitable for these “fish hawks,” so they tend to nest on manmade structures. Providing good nesting areas away from power lines also helps us reduce the risk of power outages.
Working with groups like the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, we’re providing nesting platforms in attractive locations — near water — so the osprey can survive and thrive. Three platforms went up last year, and more are on tap for 2017.
Helping ospreys flourish and working to eliminate power-line contacts by larger birds benefits the environment, and it also helps us keep delivering safe, reliable power for you.
That is a great thing for your company to do! Thank you on behalf of the osprey.
You’re welcome!
Wow! this is great. Iremember a few years back, one of them or a hawk landed on the canister next to my home and got electrecuted. It was sad thing to see, such a beatiful bird.
Great work PPL. Keep up the good work.
Great work! I never thought about the fact that you have all the right equipment and are used to installing poles. In this day of rampant development and loss of wildlife habitat, your efforts are appreciated.
Thank you for the kind words, Diana.
where were these installed?
I love that you are doing this. It’s a great way to create positive publicity about your company.
I’m so glad PPL is showing that they care about wildlife, but this is a basically simple effort that costs next to nothing. I’m wondering if they really care about wildlife and the environment, including the streams and fish on which these birds depend. Rolling back regulations that protect the environment (allegedly to boost the economy?) will undo all the gains that have been made in recent decades. We’re all at the mercy of utility companies and large corporations, but if they don’t take care of our planet, we all suffer, including them.
thanks Suzanne…we need reminders like yours! And kudos to PPL for their efforts and caring.
Excellent to do and wonderful to tell others of your endeavors.
Are there nests around Lake Wallenpaupack besides the one at the dam on Rt. 590.
Excellent work thanks for your time.e n effort to make sure that this osprey are being taken care of
So I hope those nests you guys are erecting or doing blocking instead of collecting. Something on the light post over by my house up in the light should come check it out because it keeps on falling down
Thanks for reading and commenting. If you have an equipment problem or a concern with a light post near your house, please report it by calling 1-800-DIAL-PPL (342-5775) and providing the customer service representative with your location.
Job Well Done …Just a thought ..would PPL be interested in matching funds contributed for more installed nesting sites ? Since the Central Pa area is blessed with many productive streams ,creeks and rivers it would be a wonderful example for other electric companies to follow .. Hope u r up for the challenge …:-))
Jonathan: We’ll share this suggestion with the team working on the osprey platforms. Thanks!
Thank you to PPL for donating their equipment and resources AND to the employees who donate their time for this project. Your efforts are appreciated.
Lynn: You’re welcome!
Yay ospreys!!!! Yay nature!!!! Yay PPL!!!!!
Pollution control equipment had been mounted on MCSES 3&4 stacks with a provision for nesting birds, hawks perhaps, a great example of adaptive use. A camera was placed up there and we Creekers could watch the family drama unfold, hatching, fledging and finally leaving the nest.
I hope an osprey pair takes up residence on the pole erected along the river trail north of Marietta. I’ve been watching it this Winter and Spring, but so far, nothing.
Thanks to PPl and to the PPL employees who donate their efforts to protect and conserve the osprey and our environment – much appreciated.
can you install one of these at my property which is next to a lake
Moved to PA in lake Ariel two years ago. Fell in love with the area and the lake wallenpaupack. Especially the ospreys,noticed a bird on the pole on the ground yesterday,April 8 th, Please A.S.A.P. put the pole back up for this family. I wouldn’t want to come home and find my home leveled. Thank you Bob.
Bob: We no longer own the property where the Lake Wally nest is located, but we are working with the current owner and making arrangements to repair the nest.