In the realm of wildlife conservation, the majestic bald eagle stands as a symbol of strength, freedom and resilience. These iconic birds of prey, once endangered, have made a remarkable recovery in recent decades. However, their habitat loss remains a concern, making efforts to provide suitable nesting sites crucial for their long-term success.
Entergy Arkansas is doing its part to protect the national bird from nesting on energized power poles and related equipment, which can be life threatening.
Recently, Entergy Arkansas partnered with Friends of Lake Ouachita and The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to help provide solutions for wildlife in the area. As part of its Avian and Wildlife Protection Program, Entergy Arkansas provided its services to place three utility poles around Lake Ouachita National Forest for bald eagles to use for nesting.
“Within Entergy, we have what’s called an Avian Protection Program,” said Tasha Hill, environmental supervisor for Entergy. “This project is more on the proactive side of that program, where we are setting a utility pole with an eagle nest on top and a perch. What it does is it helps us to make sure that the wildlife is not interacting with our energized utility poles and lines.”
Bald eagles are known for their impressive nests, often built high in trees near large bodies of water. The nests are built with large sticks and lined with softer materials like moss, grass, and feathers. These birds exhibit remarkable fidelity to their nesting sites, with some pairs returning to the same location year after year.
Conservationists recognize the importance of providing additional nesting sites for bald eagles to enhance their chances of successful breeding. Constructing artificial nests, also known as eagle platforms, has become a popular and effective conservation strategy.
Lake Ouachita National Forest, with its sprawling woodlands, crystal-clear waters and diverse ecosystems, provides an ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife, including the awe-inspiring bald eagle. This vast expanse of nature offers the perfect combination of forested areas, expansive lakeshores and the tranquility needed for these magnificent birds to thrive.
“We’ve seen a lot of success from other projects across the country, but we couldn’t do it on our own,” said Josh Tyler, natural resource specialist at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lake Ouachita office. “We needed a partnership to help with our eagle habitat project and Entergy was the right one.”
Tyler went on to say bald eagle viewership brings in a lot of tourism to the area and the Corps wants to do everything they can keep them in the area.
Constructing eagle platforms involves creating sturdy structures high in the trees to mimic natural nests. These platforms are typically made from durable materials such as wood and are designed to withstand the eagles’ impressive size and weight.
“We’ve got three 60-foot poles installed as part of the project. One near the west side of Blakely Dam and one each at Big Fir and Little Fir campgrounds in Mt. Ida,” said Corey George, safety specialist for Entergy Arkansas. “Hopefully, over time, the eagles will nest here, and it gives them somewhere that’s clean, nice and away from our power lines.”
After donating more than 40 manhours to the project, the utility poles should last 30-50 years with proper maintenance, giving the eagles a nice home for many years to come.
“This project is a good way for our lineworkers to give back to the community,” said David Wasson, senior manager, regional distribution operations for Entergy Arkansas. “Our lineworkers were just as excited as everyone else involved in the project and it starts an increased partnership with the Corps of Engineers where we hope to do more in the future.”
Building nests for bald eagles represents a meaningful step in wildlife conservation, showcasing Entergy Arkansas’ commitment to maintaining reliability while protecting species at risk. It’s vital to remember that the efforts to provide suitable nesting habitats play a crucial role in securing bald eagles in Arkansas for generations to come.
