A group of Oncor workers had a somewhat unique task over the weekend.
They helped move a 200 pound bald eagle’s nest on the property of the John Bunker Sands Wetland Center in Seagoville. It was sitting dangerously close to a high voltage power line, so with the help of contractors and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife workers, they very carefully relocated the nest.
Wildlife rehabilitator Dawn Gold said she was fascinated by the process. “That’s just an awesome feeling. I’ll never be that close to an eagle nest again because it’s illegal,” she said.
Gold has been documenting the move and said she was relieved action was being taken to help save the eagles from potential danger. “You don’t want to see the eagles and the eagles’ nest go up in a pile of flames. I mean that would just be tragic,” she said.
Kris Spears with Oncor said such an incident would also affect service in the area. “The line that it was removed from serve tens of thousands of Texans,” he said.
So they moved the load in its entirety, cutting off a part of the tower and relocating it a quarter mile away. It was a two day process involving roughly 50 people from multiple agencies. When finished, the nest is now perched on top of a donated transmission tower.
“There will not be any electric lines attached to this tower. This will just be home for the eagles,” said Spears.
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The nest will now also serve as a unique learning tool.
Gold said a small camera was placed inside the nest so she and others can keep a close watch on them online. She just hoped the eagles will return after the summer.
“There’s no guarantee, it’s a 50-50 chance, but they’ve made it as attractive as they can by making this tower a little taller than everything else. So that will help entice them we hope,” she said.
