Utility pole extension, power line insulation installed to protect Avon Lake bald eagles

AVON LAKE — Making a safer environment for the famous bald eagles that nest in Avon Lake each year was the goal of a project undertaken last week near the birds' Redwood Elementary stomping ground. Workers with The Illuminating Co. installed a tall wooden extension on top of a utility pole, giving the eagles a safer perching location away from energized equipment. Nearby power lines also were insulated to protect the birds in case they inadvertently make contact with the wires. Work was completed Aug. 24. Seasonally and when class is not in session, Redwood Elementary has become a popular destination for some birdwatchers who want to catch a glimpse of Stars and Stripes, the pair of bald eagles who return to their nest near the school each year. This year, three eaglets hatched in the nest and were named Freedom, Bravery and Mighty by students following a naming contest at the school. Residents alerted The Illuminating Co. after they saw the eaglets resting on a utility pole near the school while learning to fly. The young birds' location on the pole put them near energized power lines that jeopardized their safety, according to a news release from the company. Utility personnel initially installed temporary rubber bird guard coverings on the power lines within days of the report, to insulate the wires until materials were on hand to complete the final project. Amy Ruszala, an environmental scientist and avian expert with FirstEnergy, said local communities and residents are the "eyes and ears" that report concerns that may otherwise go undetected to the company. "When community members alert us to these types of concerns, we're able to take swift action to prevent an accident that is out of our control," Ruszala said. The Illuminating Co. is a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. that serves more than 750,000 customers across Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties. FirstEnergy and its electric companies have done more than 100 similar projects to protect birds of prey like eagles and ospreys, according to the release. Work has included the installation of large wooden nesting platforms and perch arms near electrical equipment, as well as the insulation of power lines and the addition of visual markers on lines that get birds' attention and help them avoid the wires. The companies also have used drones to complete bird nest inspections and have a mobile application that allows utility personnel to report bird issues they encounter in real time, the release stated. Contact Dylan Reynolds at (440) 329-7123 or dreynolds@chroniclet.com. Follow him on Twitter @drey1357.