Geraldton City and Western Power work to transform Drummond Cove power pole into osprey nest after sighting

A pair of ospreys are able to nest comfortably after the City of Greater Geraldton worked with the local community and Western Power to decommission a power pole and build a dedicated facility. Local resident Heather Beswick did not hesitate to contact the city after sighting the birds perched on power poles in Drummond Cove. The council contacted Western Power and asked for a power pole at a former cottage site on Whitehill Road to be deactivated, so it could be repurposed into an osprey nesting pole. Mayor Jerry Clune said city staff worked closely with a local contractor, as well as community members and Western Power, to transform the power pole into a nest. A craypot was donated and used to forge the shell of the nest. “City staff worked closely with Heather Beswick of Birdlife Midwest-Geraldton and Janelle Ende of Just Raptors to determine the best nest location and which materials should be used,” Mr Clune said. “I’d like to thank everyone involved in the initiative which has resulted in a fantastic new home for our local osprey pair.” The city plans to install educational signage and fencing, and revegetate the area around the pole using ground cover plants.