Hydro poles can mimic large trees and snags by providing unobstructed views of the surrounding country, which is essential for hunting. In some areas, hydro poles are used extensively by such birds of prey. For example, on a 60 kilometre stretch of highway along the Arrow Lakes in south-central BC, more than 33 active osprey nests occur on Hydro poles. The benefit hydro poles provide to birds is overshadowed by the impact bird contacts have on our ability to deliver reliable electrical service to our over 1.5 million customers, and by the bird mortalities caused by electrocutions and collisions with wires. Collisions with powerlines can also result in the physical injury or electrocution of birds.
Electrocutions occur when birds accidentally contact two conductors while flying.
This mainly affects large birds such as eagles and swans that have wingspans exceeding five or six feet. Many of the electrocutions also occur when birds perch or nest on power poles. Perching birds, such as eagles and hawks, can inadvertently touch conductors when landing or drying their wings. Birds like osprey that nest on power poles can also be electrocuted when branches from their nests contact wires. About 60 per cent of the electrocutions affect smaller birds, such as crows, starlings and gulls, when they are foraging for insects or pecking shiny objects adjacent to bare transformer wires.