Purple Martins being electrocuted by utility pole!!! HELP

[Jeff C]

We have had purple martins for years on our farm. Purple martins are landing on top of one of our utility poles and they're being electrocuted. At least 12 purple martins have died in last 10 days. I've called OG&E and a knowledgable man from the utility company came out and told me there is nothing that can be done. He said sometimes birds will pick a utility pole and just keep dying. The martins are landing on top of pole and their wings are making contact with the top of pole which is 7500 volts. He looked at a dead Martin and showed me where a burned spot on front of each wing.

I've read that PG&E has solved this problem in the Midwest by using either plastic or plastic coated wire to stop birds from dying. I don't believe OG&E in my state is doing anything about wildlife dying from their utility poles.

I contacted a local wildlife game ranger and he said he doesn't have any pull with OG&E to stop this problem.

Please help with any advice you can give me to save my purple martins.

[taxidermy lady]

I hope Berndog can help you he said his co. Fixes that problem. I am pretty sure he's the one who said he is an electrician.

[Anthony Neira]

I am so sorry that's happening to your birds Jeff. I can only think of getting hold of a local TV station & your city c. person. You could slways start a F.book page stating how the power company will not try to help. Good luck, Anthony

[taxidermy lady]

Jeff look at the sewer pipe forum! It is Bern dog. He puts an animal gaurd on theirs.

[Jeff C]

I will try to contact berndog and find out what can be done to stop my purple martins from being electrocuted. I realize it would cost millions to retrofit all utility poles for the whole state but they should fix the poles where known migratory bird are dying. I would be willing to help pay OG&E to fix my poles.

[DornCounty]

I would contact this guys supervisor and let him know.. if he is not receptive then tell him you are going to the press. If that does not work contact the power companies public relations officer.. If that don't work actually go to the press. Can't say I've ever seen a bird electrocuted in that manner. can you post a photo of the area of the pole doing this?

[Berndog]

Hello Jeff,
I am a lineman for a large utility co. & yes there are steps that can be taken to prevent wildlife fatality's.If your martins are making contact on a pole w/equipment on the pole we install what is called a "animal" gaurd,it is simply a piece of pre-formed plastic that fits various equipment.
If the martin"s are making contact that has no equipment on the pole and there is just the "wires" they can install rubber hoses that are approx 6ft long each,they are orange in color,we use these while working to help minimize the chance of electrocution.Or they can "sleeve"new pieces of wire @ the pole top area that has a plastic coating on it called "poly".My co goes to great leng
ths to prevent wildlife injuries.
Wish you were our customer,I promise you we would fix the problem ASAP!!....Berndog

[Berndog]

Jeff,
Have you considered contacting migratory federal bird act ? They are pr

otected by federal law,maybe they can help you fight the good fight?...Berndog

[Matt F.]

To go along with what Berndog said, it looks like a federal court case has set a pretty strong precedent, for the power companies to take action to protect birds covered under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, from electrocution.
http://www.fws.gov/home/feature/2009/pd ... elease.pdf

[John Miller]

Are you a member of the PMCA? Maybe they can help. Call them or email and ask them to contact the utility company. Provide them with the exact pole location, the utility company name and who you talked to.

Hey I saw a news story on our local TV station with a photo and text of a utility "poll" knocked down. I think it's "pole" but no longer sure of much these days.

John M

[Chris B]

I have one pole that has a transformer and the PMs are all over it. No issues with that pole so far, thank gawd. Another pole I have used to get dead starlings at the base. That was all fun and games until one day a young fresh Hawk that I really liked cause he would set and run his mouth was dead at the base of that pole. Called the utility co and left a msg. Don't know if they changed anything but no more dead birds.

The wood peckers like the poles up there too.

[Matt F.]

Upon further browsing, I found an organization called the Avian Power Line Interaction Committee (APLIC).
Here's their website:
http://www.aplic.org

According to their 2014 membership map, Oklahoma's OGE Energy is a member:
http://www.aplic.org/uploads/files/1550 ... es-Map.pdf

[phldave]

Jeff,

Don't give up on getting this corrected. I too used to work for the power company in my area, and they are usually pretty sensitive to public out cry. Talk to their public relations people and get them working for us. I am sure there is some kind of guard or insulation that can be easily installed to correct the problem. If they get stubborn, I'm sure if we here on this forum bombard them with emails something will get done.

[twins]

tell them a bald eagle got killed on it they will do something about it then they don,t have to know your fibbing anything to save our martins good luck