In my experience, Ospreys nesting on cell towers may be a really bad idea
for several reasons. Although I am a big fan of raptors and have banded a
couple of hundred Osprey chicks here in WA (with almost no returns I might
add), I would suggest that, in my opinion, they should really be
discouraged from this habit.

And before a flame war erupts here, please let me explain why I have come
to this conclusion. I'm not asking all of you to agree but to just be aware
of some of the potential problems.

And remember that most of us are using cell phones now and thereby
supporting this industry and this problem.

As we all know, the number of cell towers has been increasing exponentially
over the last decade or so all across North America, actually all across
the world. As the phone companies and tower companies build more, they have
inadvertently created an almost perfect opportunity for these birds to
nest. To me, a cell tower is the perfect equivalent of a snag. And Ospreys
love snags for nesting. The tower provides height, preventing predation by
mammals and such, they provide new nesting opportunities in areas where
there are no snags and thereby open new areas for foraging, they are
perfect for landing and taking off under any wind condition since the birds
have an open platform with a 360 degree approach and departure pattern.
They are often located in cities where no one is going to shoot them
(hopefully).

But here are some of the drawbacks.

Cell towers are not relatively simple natural structures like a snag. They
are far more complicated, not to mention...ummm..electrified.

As the adults add more and more sticks to these nests over the years, they
can create an electrical hazard by shorting out and sometimes causing a
fire. If this happens during the breeding season, like the two recent
records here on Tweeters, the eggs or young, and there is no easy way to
say this, will simply burn to death.

There are other mortality factors lurking on towers as well. Two summers
ago, a fledgling from a Sea-Tac cell tower caught a toe in some wire and
hung suspended until rescued by the power company. I heard it had a badly
broken leg and was later euthanized.

So, in my opinion, cell towers are not exactly optimal for Osprey chicks. I
know most of us love Ospreys and usually welcome them nesting in our areas
(they are such a joy) but just because they show up doesn't mean it is the
best place for them.

In addition, some cell tower nests have been known to blow down during wind
storms. This material can weigh several hundred pounds and could
potentially injure people or damage the equipment below the towers.

WSDWF (and please correct me if I am wrong here) has recently mandated that
no human activity can take place on an active cell tower nest here in
Washington during the period from 1 March through 1 October, considered to
be the breeding season.

This essentially means that if there is a problem and the system shuts
down, the owners and maintenance people may have to wait until the breeding
season is over before they can climb up to fix it. This may not mean much
to many people until they realize that this equipment may be supporting a
911 emergency call system. Then it can have some really serious results.
Cell companies are justifiably concerned about this type of interruption.

However, I have to add here that last year, Chris Anderson, regional bio
for WSDFW was able to assist in some of the more critical situations and
should be recognized for working out some really good solutions to several
Osprey problems, so I think that they are working hard to make this all
work.

Another potential problem is what happens to the young Ospreys raised on a
tower? More particularly, will they also choose to nest on cell towers when
they become adults? Do they imprint on cell towers? Are the cell companies
inadvertently expanding the Osprey population on to ever more towers? If
so, they may be creating more problem for themselves in the future.

For example, in Florida, towers are now hosting not just Ospreys but
Red-tailed Hawks, Great Horned Owls and Bald Eagles. Stick nests situated
on artificial snags (cell towers) are apparently hard to resist.

So while I expect most everyone here on Tweeters loves Ospreys, as I do,
please keep in mind that maybe there are some places that they just don't
belong, no matter how much we enjoy their company.

--
Bud Anderson
Falcon Research Group
Box 248
Bow, WA 98232
(360) 757-1911
falconresearch at gmail.com
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