Illinois Raptor Center and Ameren to Provide Education

Brian Bretsch, spokesman for power utility Ameren Illinois, says, “The IRC provides an invaluable service to the community, not only by retrieving and rehabbing injured birds, but also by providing education about wildlife and the environment. We work closely with the IRC and other avian experts to help train our employees on what to do if they come across an injured bird of prey.

 

Ameren Illinois created an Avian Protection Program several years ago to help protect birds of prey and migratory species from potential hazards. It’s an ongoing plan to upgrade our electric and natural gas utility system with higher standards and better structures that are avian-safe for the eagles, hawks, falcons, osprey, owls and other birds that dot the Ameren Illinois 43,000-square-mile service territory area.”

 

Protective covering on the center phase of a three-phase pole top allows large birds to perch anywhere on the pole without being potentially electrocuted. Reflective devices have been installed on power lines crossing lakes and wetlands to help large birds such as swans, blue herons or pelicans avoid collisions with power lines.

 

Ameren revised construction standards to ensure that new distribution lines include insulated components or increased spacing between wires so eagles, hawks, owls and other large birds of prey can land on a line and spread their wings safely. Only inactive nests of non-endangered species are removed.

 

Ameren Illinois has trained hundreds of employees and contractors on the installation and use of avian products, new construction standards and proper handling and reporting related to protected species and their nests.