High voltage power lines and electric poles are a risk to raptors whose large wing spans can lead to electrocution, but large birds in Florida are safer now thanks to the efforts of the Tampa Electric Company. According to the Tampa Bay Business Journal, the utility company finished a five year project in mid-December to retrofit power poles in an avian protection program. The project affected nearly 1,200 power poles, primarily in Polk County, to make birds less likely to come into contact with the electrical infrastructure.

Tampa Electric Co. is the first Florida utility provider to take steps to protect migratory birds, including ospreys, herons and several species of hawks, from power pole risks. The project cost $800,000, and additional poles will be retrofitted as needed to expand the birds' protection. In addition to redesigning utility poles for birds' safety, Tampa Electric Co. has also donated nesting sites at different preserves in its service area, giving birds safer places to stay.

Would you pay a higher utility rate if the increase included funding for similar bird protection projects? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Osprey
Photo © Mike Baird, flickr.bairdphotos.com

A new state law in California has given airports the authority to kill birds that may be a threat to aircraft, and according to KTVU.com Oakland International Airport has lost no time in taking advantage of the new regulations. Dozens of gulls, cormorants and brown pelicans were shot recently as part of bird abatement activities and their bodies washed up along the Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline. Some of the birds were still alive and a few have been admitted to rehabilitation facilities. Officials claim that non-lethal methods were tried first, including pyrotechnics, before the birds were killed.

It should be noted that brown pelicans were removed from the federal endangered species list less than two months ago.

The unusually high concentration of birds feeding at the end of the airport's runways is what led to the shootings. The flocks of up to 2,000 birds were positioned near where airplanes approach and were believed to be a hazard to aircraft.

Airports have many non-lethal ways to prevent bird strikes that can be effective more than 90 percent of the time. Do you believe that shooting birds should be acceptable as part of airport wildlife management? Vote in the poll and share your thoughts in the comments!

Oakland International Airport
Photo © Doc Searls

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According to the Gloucester Daily Times, multiple sightings of apparently oiled gulls have been reported near Gloucester Harbor in Massachusetts, but authorities are unable to find the source of the contamination. Two well respected birders submitted reports of dozens of oiled birds, but there are no reports of oil spills or other contaminants in the area that would account for the concentration of affected birds.

Upon examination of photos of the birds, it does appear they are contaminated but not with heavy engine oil. Nevertheless, birds contaminated with oil lose the natural waterproofing and insulation of their feathers and can succumb to hypothermia. They may also be poisoned from the toxicity of the oil as they attempt to preen.

Authorities are investigating the sightings, and anyone with information about the origin of the oil or who spots oiled birds is urged to contact the Gloucester harbormaster, the Coast Guard or the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

Gloucester Harbor
Photo © DrStarbuck