Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power.
Nest platforms are being bolted on top of seven new channel markers the company is installing during October and November in both lakes. Ospreys, sometimes referred to as a river hawk or fish eagle, feed primarily on fish and have made numerous nests in the tops of existing channel markers along the Coosa River.
The 4-foot-by-4-foot platforms, built by Alabama Power at the company’s General Services Complex in Calera, resemble a large tray with short sides.
Platforms for osprey nests installed on Alabama lakes from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
“Conserving fish and wildlife and their habitat is a key component of how Alabama Power manages its reservoirs and project lands for hydropower generation,” said Jason Carlee, an Environmental Affairs supervisor who oversees the company’s stewardship projects. “This was a great opportunity to take advantage of a required project, in deploying the channel markers, and develop it in to a conservation benefit for the birds.
“The public gets increased safety and better identification of hazards in the reservoir, and the birds get a better place to build their nests,” Carlee said.
The three-week channel marker installation project was initiated in response to feedback Alabama Power heard from property owners, the Alabama Marine Patrol and other stakeholders on how to increase safety on the lakes.
Seven channel markers will be installed in Lay and 28 in Neely Henry.
Parker Livingston, an engineer with Alabama Power’s parent, Southern Company, who is overseeing the project, said the channel markers help boaters navigate around stumps and other hazards.
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
Ospreys have a new place to nest on Lay and Neely Henry lakes, thanks to Alabama Power’s new channel marking program. (Billy Pope / Alabama NewsCenter)
“They are color-coded so you can tell if you’re going upstream or downstream, and are numbered in chronological order to help boaters know where they are on the lake,” Livingston said. “We think it’s a real win-win to have a dual-purpose project providing navigation and nests.”
In some cases, Alabama Power is installing channel markers at new locations, and replacing worn markers at other sites, in consultation with the Alabama Marine Police.
“Time, weather, high flows, floating debris – even boaters and wildlife – take a toll on the channel markers,” said Keith Bryant, a senior engineer with Southern Company Generation’s Hydro Services unit. “Ultraviolet rays cause fading, especially to the red markers and metal signs begin to rust.”
The osprey is found around the world and is one of the more dominant species found on Alabama waterways. It is often observed diving for fish. Nests are made of large sticks and branches and can be used by the same birds for years. Nesting season is roughly from March to September in Alabama.
