Use of bird discouragers to prevent bird nesting on lattice transmission towers and an analysis of corrosion resistant fastening technology used to ensure 40+ years service in polluted environments.

This paper presents a North American transmission company’s approach to managing osprey interaction with transmission infrastructure in Rhode Island through a combination of preventive and corrective measures, including relocation of nests to purpose-built platforms, discouragement of nesting in hazardous positions, and management of residual contamination risk. The approach is nature-inclusive in that it supports safer nesting opportunities while reducing harmful interaction with energized assets. It also moves beyond impact reduction by creating safer nesting opportunities adjacent to the line corridor while reducing harmful interaction with energized assets.

The results show both ecological and engineering benefit. Despite a 128% increase in monitored osprey nests, faults per successful nest declined by 68%. The paper also shows that long-term mitigation performance depends on durable and maintainable fastening. Compared with stainless-steel banding, the selected fastener, (blind hole, cold-formed stainless-steel stud) reduced corrosion risk, improved maintenance practicality, extended expected service life to about 50 years in the Rhode Island C4 coastal application, reduced total cost of ownership by up to USD 1,687 per tower over 60 years, and lowered global warming potential by a factor of 24.