Eagles Spotted In Osprey Nest Near Dangerous, High Voltage Wires

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — It was a happy ending for a pair of bald eagles who made themselves comfortable recently in an osprey nest in Westhampton Beach that was perched precariously near high-voltage wires.

According to Elizabeth Flagler, media representative for PSEG Long Island, the eagles were spotted on March 18 in the nest, which sits atop a 100-foot pole on Jessup Lane.

"We have a team of employees dedicated to monitoring the activity of osprey, and now eagles, on our equipment," she said. "They jumped into action when they noticed the nest was built around the wires carrying 13,000 volts."

Crews safely diverted the wires two feet below the nest to give ample clearance to protect the nest and the birds, she said.

"We work hard all year to identify nests on the equipment and remediate where necessary," Flagler said. "We have relocated two dozen nests to safer platforms to protect the birds and the electric system."

The work, however, needs to be completed during the off season; once the birds inhabit the nest nothing can be done, she said.

And, Flagler said, it seems the eagles have moved on and the osprey that built the nest last year have returned and are happily ensconced.

PSEG has also set up two osprey webcams in Oyster Bay and Patchogue so residents can get a peek.