Most of the residents in the Village of Endeavour were upset and disappointed when they realized that the Osprey nest located on the cell tower has been destroyed.
Apparently contractors hired by Sasktel had climbed the tower and destroyed the nest sometime during the third week in March, stated Mayor Brad Romanchuk.
When the Sasktel human resources and environment manager was contacted, he indicated there was a complaint of damage caused to the tower by the Osprey nesting activity. He also stated that the tower was not designated for the extra weight of an Osprey nest. A possible buildup of ice and snow along with a strong wind could compromise the structure. He reported that when service people need to climb the tower, the Osprey dive at them, creating a safety hazard. He told Romanchuk that towers across North America are experiencing the same type of problems with Osprey. Apparently these nests also tend to start forest fires in remote areas. Either lightning or a short in the live wires start the nests on fire.
When the SaskTel representative was asked if there was a nest relocation program in place, he stated that he would look into it. However, he also said that for the most part, relocation was not successful. He was then reminded of the Osprey nest in the hamlet of Lady Lake which was relocated and reported to be a total success.
The nesting Osprey in Endeavour started building its nest late in the 2018 season and finished in early 2019. The eggs were laid and the two young chicks were visible during the summer of 2019.
鈥淭hey migrated in the fall and had Sasktel notified the Village of their intentions to remove the nest we would have had been able to formulate a plan for the relocation of the nest,鈥� said Romanchuk.
Information acquired from an environmental group indicated what should be considered in the relocation plan is that the Osprey need to be able to see the river and that the nest should be left intact for the most part. Now, with the destruction of the nest it is unknown if a successful relocation would had been possible. Some residents said that when the Osprey return this spring they will build on the tower again. This remains to be seen. The idea has been tossed around that a pole with a platform be erected within eyesight of the Ospreys return as an alternative site. In these times of COVID 19 pandemic and the doom and gloom atmosphere felt within the Village population, the residents are now looking forward with optimism to the arrival of spring, warmer weather and the return of the Osprey and other migrating birds.
The Osprey is a unique bird that is unmistakable when seen at close range, stated the bird view website.
It is the only species in its family, and it is found worldwide. Its breast and belly are mostly white, with some dark streaks. The white extends out the wings, but the primaries, secondaries, and tail feathers are mottled black-and-white. The back is mostly black or dark brown. The head is distinctive with a white crest, the face bisected by a dark eye-stripe, and yellow eyes. While there is much variation, the female tends to have a streakier breast than the male.
The Osprey's talons are uniquely adapted for catching and carrying fish: their surfaces are rough, and their toes can be held with three forward and one back, or with two forward and two back, an arrangement seen in owls but not in other diurnal raptors. In flight, they are most often confused with gulls because of their long wings, which are bent at the wrist. However, Ospreys have a bounce to their flight that gulls lack, concluded the information.
