An Osprey family that built its home atop a traffic signal pole at Stadium Parkway and Viera Boulevard has been successfully relocated to a nearby perch built exclusively to accommodate its extensive nest.
Two Brevard County agencies, Public Works/Traffic Engineering and Natural Resources Management combined forces on the relocation, which required state and federal permitting since the osprey is a protected migratory bird.
Crews successfully reinstalled the nest on a taller pole just a few yards southwest of where the original nest was built.
“The operation went as planned thanks to the good efforts of our Traffic Operations staff and with the expert help of Sue Gosselin of our Natural Resources Management staff. She got the required permits for us and helped ensure that we didn’t move the nest too early, that we let the young osprey get old enough to leave the nest,” said Public Works Director John Denninghoff.
The county felt the move was necessary to prevent an early replacement of the costly traffic signal mast at the busy intersection, and also to relieve the threat of bird droppings on pedestrians in the area.