TRANSFER, Pa. - A project to help protect one of Mercer County’s birds of prey is being delayed.

Penn Power began work Monday to relocate an active osprey nest perched on a utility pole on North Hermitage Road in Transfer. However, Penn Power said the osprey nest was much larger than expected.

Due to the size and weight of the nest, Penn Power found out that the top of the pole was not in ideal condition to install a large nesting platform to provide a safe nest location for the birds away from the energized equipment.

Penn Power says U.S. Department of Agriculture and Birds of Flight sanctuary representatives advised them not to remove the nest containing the eggs. They advised them to instead install insulated bird guard coverings on the power lines and equipment near the nest to keep them safe until the eggs hatch, and they can safely remove the nest and install the nesting platform in the fall.

A Birds of Flight sanctuary representative will be present to protect the eggs in an incubator while the work is being completed. A representative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will also be present to oversee the process and provide the permits to relocate the nest. Once the work is completed, the nest with eggs will be placed in the nesting platform.

“Disturbing or removing the nests can be a complicated task due to environmental regulations. In most cases, an active nest containing eggs cannot be disturbed,” according to Penn Power’s Lauren Siburkus. “However, due to the proximity of the active nest near energized electrical equipment, Penn Power received approval from state and federal wildlife agencies to safely and proactively relocate the nest.”

According to the National Wildlife Federation, ospreys are smaller than the bald eagle, having an average wingspan of five feet. Also known as the fish hawk, ospreys are raptors that are well adapted for fishing.