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Lamoine Osprey Cam



ABOUT THE PROJECT:

Around coastal areas like Lamoine, ospreys tend to build nests at the top of utility poles, which presents a danger to the birds while raising the risk of disruptions to electric service.   After a 2020 incident with an osprey nest built on a utility pole in Lamoine, Versant Power crews wanted to prevent a future safety risk to the birds as well as the public.  As a result, Versant employees designed and built an alternate nesting platform near the pole where the ospreys originally built their nest. 

 

ACCOMMODATING THE OSPREYS:

The platform was built with ospreys’ preferences in mind and required Versant’s environmental team as well as the expertise of outside environmental groups, including the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.  Because ospreys like to be at the tallest point above the water, Versant crews replaced an existing utility pole with a taller one.  Crews installed a square platform with no coverings, as experts tell us the birds prefer to look down and hunt for fish below without any obstructions overhead.

 

ABOUT THE CAMERA:

The osprey camera is powered entirely by solar energy and is situated on a newly built osprey platform that overlooks the Mud Creek.  The camera is powered by EarthCam. Viewers are able to take a screenshot of the camera view and share it via email and social media.

 

IMPORTANT OSPREY INFORMATION:

It is important to know that ospreys are federally protected birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We worked and continue to work closely with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in this effort. The intent of the Versant Power osprey camera is solely for the public to observe the birds. Versant Power does not intervene in the natural processes of osprey nesting, which does include death of the young.