Osprey Rescued from Twine, Electric Line

HARRISBURG – An osprey that had become tangled in bailer twine and caught in electric lines crossing over Cummings Creek Road in Nelson Township, Tioga County, was rescued from its high-wire snare, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer Robert Minnich.

“Employees from Penelec electric company did a great job getting the bird down for me,” WCO Minnich. “Once on the ground, I removed the twine and observed the bird for several minutes checking the leg and foot. No major injuries were found, only a few abrasions and the leg was weak.

“After working the leg slowly, the osprey eventually strengthened and was opening and closing its talons. When it flew away, I noticed that the leg was hanging a little lower than the other leg, but fine otherwise.”

WCO Minnich returned to the scene on April 12, and found both birds were around the nest site.

“One was sitting in the nest and the other one was sitting on another electric pole eating a fish,” Minnich said. “I believe it was a nice black crappie.

“This is just another example of how litter can have a negative impact on wildlife. Thankfully, this took place in an area where it could be found and rescued.”

On April 13, WCO Minnich received word about another osprey incident in Middlebury Township, Tioga County.

“I received a call from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about an osprey on another electric line,” WCO Minnich said. “The Wellsboro Electric Company had removed some nesting material that had been placed on top of the pole that began to burn.

“Wellsboro Electric Company is planning to put up two poles, one of which will have an osprey nesting platform and the other a perch pole. They then are going to put deterrents on the electric pole and readjust the pole.”

Pictured, from top to bottom, a Penelec employee works to free an osprey from being entangled with bailer twine and an electric wire in Nelson Township, Tioga County; after being freed from its high-wire snare, the osprey is seen standing on a nearby telephone pole; a team of employees from Wellsboro Electric Company erected a nesting and perching pole for ospreys after nesting material on a nearby pole caught fire.
Game Commission Photos