JCPL Vows to Protect More Ospreys in 2017: PHOTOS

In 2017, Jersey Central Power & Light will expand its efforts to protect ospreys, the threatened coastal bird of prey that loves to nest near power lines and on tall electric poles. Ospreys nesting on electric poles is a serious problem: One single utility pole near Beaton’s Boatyard in Brick killed four ospreys this past year, according to a report in the Asbury Park Press. In August, a 7-week-old baby osprey that rescuers saved after it got trapped in fishing line was found dead a week later near an electric pole. It had been electrocuted.

Going forward, JCP&L will survey all their electric poles and other equipment where ospreys have started nesting, or given indications of future nesting, the company says. The power company will then identify and build new nesting platforms for the birds — not near electrical equipment. In addition, specialized equipment will be installed to divert and discourage ospreys from nesting in potentially hazardous locations, the company said.

“To an osprey, a utility pole near the coast seems like an ideal spot to perch or build a nest, but it could jeopardize their health," said Ben Wurst of the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey.

In 2016, JCP&L was able to successfully move two osprey nests – one in Brick Township and the other in Union Beach in Monmouth County – to new, safer nesting platforms that were built nearby. In the past, JCP&L, along with several wildlife groups, helped move an osprey nest in Oceanport that had been built too close to power lines. The nest was built on top of the borough's emergency alert siren in Blackberry Bay Park.

“In the past, we successfully relocated one or two osprey nests. (Now) our goal is to move as many nests as possible before birds are injured or it causes a service interruption for customers," said Tony Hurley, JCP&L vice president of operations.

Plans for 2017 include:

• Moving nests on transmission structures in Ocean Township and Oceanport in Monmouth County

• Removing nesting materials and placing nesting deterrents on a distribution structure in Brick Township, Ocean County

• Moving nests on distribution structures in Oceanport, Monmouth Beach and Spring Lake Heights in Monmouth County

• Moving a nest on a distribution structure in Bayville, Ocean County

In addition to focusing on ospreys, JCP&L’s previous bird protection efforts included setting nesting boxes and the banding of endangered American Kestrels. Past Patch coverage:

Ospreys Make a Home in Oceanport

JCP&L Lends Helping Hand in Moving Osprey Nest in Oceanport