Osprey nest to blame for Verizon issues in parts of Nags Head

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Verizon and other companies have equipment on a monopole tower at Nags Head Town Hall. [Google Maps image]

An osprey nest in a tower was partly to blame for problems Verizon Wireless customers have experienced in parts of Nags Head in recent weeks.

Several Verizon customers have told OBX Today that they are having issues with their mobile devices in the area between Jockeys Ridge and Whalebone Junction, including the inability to call or text and their devices showing up in mode. roaming.

Our engineer discovered that there was an osprey nest on one of our assets, said Diana Alvear, communications manager for Verizon Wireless.

Fortunately, the nest is no longer occupied or active, so it was able to replace a radio at that particular cell site, Alvear said. We expect that the performance of the network will be improved accordingly.

Alvear also said that Verizon is following a bird protection plan to ensure we comply with federal, state and local laws as they perform work that would impact active nests.

Under the Migratory Birds Protection Act, March through August is the official nesting season for the maintenance of osprey and cell phone towers on structures with active osprey nests should not take place. between April 1 and August 15, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Alvera said.

All nests are considered inactive from September to February, when ospreys are on their wintering grounds in Central and South America. Inactive nests do not need a migratory bird permit or permission to remove nests, Alvera said.

This story originally appeared on OBXToday.com. Read more local stories here.

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