The Osprey nest relocation program is on track with the relocation platform in place and the nest relocation to the new platform all completed.
鈥淭he crane was brought in on April 1 and it removed the nest intact and relocated it to the new platform,鈥� said Brad Romanchuk, Mayor of Endeavour.
SaskPower and Forbes Brothers Construction previously delivered the used power pole that was used to build a platform for the nest.
The tower platform went up in the village on March 10 and was located approximately 200 feet from the original cell tower. The next portion of the project was the removal of the nest off the cell tower intact and setting it on the new platform. Sasktel hired a 150-foot crane to do the job with West Tower out of Saskatoon looking after the work.
In order to deter the Osprey from building back on the SaskTel tower there were some reflectors and noise deterrents placed on top of the tower.
鈥淲e are hopefully that when or if the Osprey return that they accept the new platform where their old nest currently sits on. It is up to the Osprey now, we did what we could do to ensure their safety,鈥� said Romanchuk.
Michelle Englot, representative from Sasktel, also made a special donation of $800 towards the project.
The nesting Osprey in Endeavour started building the nest late in the 2018 season and finished in early 2019. They laid eggs and the two young chicks were visible during the summer of 2019. They migrated in the fall but will be back in early April.
Most of the residents in the Village of Endeavour were disappointed when they realized that the Osprey nest located on the cell tower has been destroyed for the first time.
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 had stated that the tower was not designated for the extra weight of an Osprey nest. He said that a possible buildup of ice and snow along with a strong wind could compromise the structure. He had also reported that when service people need to climb the tower, the Osprey dive at them creating a safety hazard issue. He also told Romanchuk that towers across North America are all experiencing the same type of problems with Osprey. Apparently these nests tend to start forest fires in remote areas. Either lightning or a short in the live wires start the nests on fire.
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