We currently have at least 8 active Osprey nests around Catawba, most of which were placed by our company.  In 2007, we placed several new nesting platforms around the site to discourage our feathered friends from building nests on equipment or power lines that would place them in harm’s way.  In 2008, we installed a camera on top of our communications tower to provide continual footage of an active nest located on the tower.  We have been able to observe nest building, egg laying and chick hatching from an “internal” video feed specific to the site.  Unfortunately we have struggled to find the right equipment & software combination to provide live video footage for viewing outside Duke Energy but we’re continuing our efforts to make this a reality.  This past spring (2009) we abandoned a power pole and relocated the active service lines rather than move a nest with eggs.  This fall, we also relocated a nest from another active line to a newly installed nesting platform.  We look forward to having many active nests next year.