Use of Structures:

Electric utility structures provide perching, roosting, and nesting substrates for a variety of avian species. This is particularly true of raptors and corvids that inhabit open areas where natural substrates are limited. Nests may be located on distribution and transmission poles, as well as on a variety of substation equipment.

Adults and fledglings nesting on electrical infrastructure are at an increased risk of interacting with electrical lines and equipment because they may perch on structures with nests and adjacent structures that may not be designed to be avian-safe. Risk increases further when they have prey in their talons or when young, inexperienced birds perch on unprotected equipment. Nesting on structures also may increase the chances of the birds colliding with wires, particularly when young birds leave the nest and as birds move in and out of the nest area bisecting spans. Depending on where nests are located, they may pose fire, safety, power outage, or bird electrocution risks.

Nest Management

Nest management may be conducted to minimize risks associated with bird nests on electrical equipment. Management actions may include trimming nest material, removing nests, or relocating nests to platforms installed on or near utility structures. Relocating nests to platforms can provide nesting sites for protected species while minimizing risks of electrocution, equipment damage, or power outages. Utilities should consult with state and federal wildlife agencies to identify permits that may be required for nest management activities. A variety of nest platform designs are available (see Suggested Practices for Avian Protection on Power Lines: The State of the Art in 2006 for designs ).

For decades, nest platforms and boxes have also been installed on utility poles to aid populations of sensitive raptor species, including Osprey and Peregrine Falcon. They continue to be installed to benefit rare or declining raptors such as the Ferruginous Hawk (pictured, right). For detailed information on bird nests on utility structures, see APLIC’s document (insert link to document)