BATH, Maine — The summer breeding season for ospreys has begun in Maine, but some residents are expressing disapproval over Central Maine Power's (CMP) recent actions.
The power company installed barriers on Leeman Highway just one day before the ospreys were expected to return to their long-standing nesting site.
Joann Adams, a photographer and administrator of a local Facebook group, shared her concerns about the removal of the osprey nest.
"That nest has been there for 40 years," Adams said.
This year, however, Adams noticed a significant change.
"They took the nest down on April 2; they had to know they come on April 3. If I know, they know, it's their pole," Adams said.
Adams reached out to the power company to express her worries, but when she couldn't get in touch with anyone, she turned to social media.
"So I thought, well, a Facebook page—that's how we'll do it. And in two days, we got 700 followers," she said.
According to CMP, the nest had to be removed due to safety concerns for the birds and to avoid potential power disruptions for 5,400 customers in the area.
However, CMP says it is taking steps to support the ospreys.
Jon Breed, a spokesperson for CMP, confirmed that plans are in place to provide an alternative nesting platform.
"Next week we have plans to go in and install a platform, not above that pole because it is too close to the road, but to a pole nearby," Breed said.
This new platform aims to offer ospreys a safer and more suitable location to nest, keeping them away from high-voltage lines.
