Several years ago, Nova Scotia Power erected a new pole on Poole Road in Sheet Harbour as a nesting platform for a pair of osprey. The ospreys apparently had another location in mind and built their nest on top of the barge Scotia Tide, which is laid up afloat at the Sheet Harbour Marina.
Anthony Ferris of the Sheet Harbour Marine Association brought this to the attention of the barge owner and to R.J. MacIsaac Construction Ltd. who have been providing caretaking services for the barge. Anthony rightly noted that the nest may need to be relocated should the barge be moved from the marina this summer.
Boyd MacIsaac of RJMI and the Sheet Harbour Marina Association, put the wheels in motion and developed a plan to relocate the nest with guidance from Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources.
On Monday, March 30th, RJMI’s crew prepped the site for the nest removal. The following day the crew mobilized their equipment including a rented crane from RD Cranes. The entire nest was successfully removed from the barge and securely installed on the platform atop the pole on Poole Road.
As noted by the Sheet Harbour Marina Association –
“The crews from R J MacIsaac and the crane operator from RD Cranes deserve a lot of credit for the skills they demonstrated in carefully and efficiently relocating this nest. Also, a big thank you goes out to wildlife biologist Shavonne Meyer for her advice and guidance on how to complete this operation.”
We would add an additional big thanks to Anthony Ferris and the Sheet Harbour Marina Association for initiating and contributing to this successful project.
