BGE 'Osprey Watch' calls on customers to report nests sighted on utility equipment

March marks the annual return of ospreys to the Chesapeake Bay and also the likelihood that their nests will appear on Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) electric equipment. These nests endanger the birds and may cause power outages.                                                              

There have been 123 osprey outage events since 2006, with the vast majority occurring between April and August. The most impacted areas are located along the Chesapeake Bay and include Havre de Grace, near Martin State Airport, south Baltimore, south of Annapolis, and Shady Side to Deale in Anne Arundel County.

To protect the ospreys and help BGE continue the safe and reliable delivery of electricity, the company has launched a nest identification program called Osprey Watch. Any customer who identifies a nest on or near utility equipment, such as power lines and poles, should let BGE know immediately by emailing . BGE will dispatch a trained crew to either shield the birds and nests from the equipment or remove the nest.

 How customers can help:

When you see an osprey nest on BGE equipment, report the location of the osprey nest via  and provide the following information:

If the pole is easily accessible, please send us the pole number, located on a placard near eye level on the pole.

If the pole is not easily accessible, please send us the nearest address to the pole and attach photos of the pole (taken from different perspectives if possible).

Once a nest is reported, BGE will remove the nest if no birds or eggs are present. The nest will be relocated where possible. If the nest is inhabited, deterrents will be placed on the electric equipment to shield the birds and nests and mitigate the risks of contact.

Photo from www.ospreywatch.org by K Lantz