Large birds nest on US 36 is home to Ospreys
Several people have asked The Beacon about the large birds’ nest on US 36. According to Wildlife Officer Jerrod Allison it is the home of Ospreys, not Eagles like many have wondered. Josie Sellers | Beacon
COSHOCTON – A large bird’s nest on a power pole across from Hahn’s Valero at the intersection of U.S. 36 and Country Road 621 is not the home of Eagles like many people have been wondering.
“Eagles’ nests are always in trees,” said Wildlife Officer Jerrod Allison. “I’m sure there are some that have done goofy things, but every nest I’ve ever heard of or known of was in a tree. What I’ve seen at this nest (on U.S. 36) is not Eagles, but Ospreys. I’ve seen them on power poles before. People just need to let them be and not try to disturb them and they will go about their business.”
Ospreys and Eagles are pretty close to each other according to Allison.
“They are both birds of prey, but Ospreys are strictly fish eating birds and while Eagles do typically nest near water they will also eat other stuff,” he said. “The area where these Ospreys are wouldn’t be an uncommon place for them with having the river there and Lake Park.”
Another difference between Ospreys and Eagles is their migration habits.
“Eagles will migrate or they may not,” Allison said. “A lot of times they will spend the whole year here, but when it gets cold Ospreys will migrate. They are not here in the winter and that’s why we see them nesting in the summer which is later compared to Hawks, Owls and Eagles.”
He added that Ospreys are a non-game animal, but do not have an endangered or threatened status here in Ohio.
Allison noticed AEP crews in the area of the nest on May 31. They informed him that that they were taking precautions by setting up a power pole next to the one the birds are on. AEP doesn’t plan to disturb the Osprey, but are hoping the new pole, that doesn’t have lines connected to it, might entice them to move over.
Category: People & Places
