LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. — Residents along Lake Murray are used to seeing a specific type of bird, called osprey, that often makes nests near water. And many locals do their part to protect the wildlife in the Palmetto State.
"I like watching at 'em. Matter of fact, I feed 'em sometimes," Little Mountain resident Allen Farr said.
"So first of all, they're birds of prey that have rebounded really nicely, you know, from the use of pesticides from around the 1950s to the early 70s. And they just love South Carolina," said Jay Keck, industry habitat manager at the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. "They love open areas, like Lake Murray."
According to Keck, these birds mainly eat fish, have a sizeable 6-foot-long wingspan, and, once built, often use the same nest over their entire lifespan of 15 to 20 years. He said that is why their nests must be kept safe.
One local posting on Facebook earlier this month highlighted concern about a specific nest on what she said was a broken platform atop a utility pole at Highway 378 and St. Johns Road.
She rallied locals to call Dominion Energy, which has since released the following statement:
"Dominion Energy remains committed to the environment and the communities we serve. We routinely inspect overhead equipment and facilities to ensure a safe, reliable, and resilient system, and adhere to all applicable environmental regulations and guidelines when working near nesting materials, wildlife, and other natural resources."
Keck said helping wildlife like this is all about balance.
"Companies wouldn't be here without the planet. Okay? And so to give back a little bit from what you've taken away is, I think, critical," Keck said. "You see this huge, beautiful bird just sitting out there and then (see it) fishing. There's, to me, there's nothing not to like about this bird. And I think that's why it's so popular and why people care for it so much around here."
Anyone who sees an osprey nest needing help can contact the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.