A tribute to osprey 39/D

Sadly, 39/D was lost to a common cause of death for many large birds – electrocution. He was identified by his red auxiliary band (39/D), and recovered underneath of a utility pole that was at the end of Allen Rd., in Berkeley Shores, and only 700′ from his nest. Each year we get reports of several ospreys, adults and young, that get electrocuted. We all need electricity to live in today’s technological world, so preventing this from happening throughout the range of ospreys in New Jersey would be really hard and very expensive… However, electrocutions that are reported usually get swift action from the utility companies. They do not want to injure or kill ospreys or other birds of prey. Since this nest is within JCP&L service territory, we notified them immediately afterwards about the incident and they were saddened to hear this news. We are hopeful that JCP&L will make the needed modifications to this pole, and any others in their service territory that might pose a threat to any migratory birds, especially birds of prey, like ospreys, bald eagles, and vultures who have a large wing span. Many power companies are members of the Avian Power Line Interaction Committee and implement an Avian Protection Plan to mitigate for these types of situations where birds collide with wires or get electrocuted by electrical equipment.