Farmingville, NY - On July 19, Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich was at West Meadow Beach in Stony Brook to announce PSEGLI’s installation of an Osprey Platform Disk atop a utility pole on Trustees Road. It was not long before the birds started nesting on the pole that electric service was disrupted, and repairs were needed to restore power. But, with each repair came the removal of the Osprey nest. Stressed and displaced, the couple sought refuge in the salt marsh but never gave up on the home they built together. After several repairs and rebuilds, it finally became apparent that the persistence of these Osprey could not be matched. It was Thursday July 14, 2022, that PSEGLI rose to the call of the Osprey and installed a platform for the young nesting pair to safely keep their nest upon.
The Osprey is a migratory bird species that returns to our area each year after overwintering in the south. Once they find a partner, they will mate for life and will do so at the same exact location each spring. So, when a young Osprey pair made their home atop a utility pole on Trustees Road last August, something needed to be done to help them survive and grow their family. The Osprey is a majestic and admirable bird. It bares many adaptations to survive in varying coastal environments, but it is due to their resilience that we are seeing their population once again thrive.
Pictured left to right are beach stewards Roberta Fabiano and Frank Fountain; Councilmember Kornreich and Nicole Pocchiare, Town of Brookhaven Environmental Educator.
Councilmember Kornreich said, "The story of the osprey nest at the West Meadow Nature Preserve proves the adage that you can’t fight Mother Nature. The first few attempts at nest building by this pair of ospreys resulted in blown fuses on the pole, and PSEGLI made several attempts to introduce elements of “hostile architecture” to discourage them from further attempts. The ospreys’ persistence paid off, and finally PSEGLI decided to install a raised platform on top of the pole which would permit the birds to safely build their structure without damaging the electrical service. The nest has been rebuilt and we look forward to this breeding pair’s return to West Meadow after their migration. Special thanks to beach stewards Elaine Maas, Roberta Fabiano and Frank Fountain as well as our environmental educator Nicole Pocchiare."
“It is so important that we find the balance between our use of the land and the preservation of this beautiful coast. To enjoy but also protect areas with unique ecology like that of West Meadow Beach and Creek. The installation of this platform for the Osprey’s Nest is a perfect example of how we can be more understanding and appreciative of the natural space we share. Let it be an inspiration for a trend of positive impact,” said Nicole Pocchiare, Town of Brookhaven Environmental Educator.
Many people assisted in the effort to maintain the nest in its present location, including Peter Fontaine, Town of Brookhaven Division of Environmental Protection Senior Analyst; John Turner, Town of Brookhaven Division of Environmental Protection Senior Analyst; Elaine Maas, Board of Directors, Four Harbors Audubon Society; and Lisanne Altmann and the installation crew from PSEGLI.
Division of Public Information * Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738
