New Osprey Pole Installed in Lewiston

Authorities work to prevent repeat of last year's tragic osprey death

Mar. 19, 2026 at 3:10am

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A new pole has been installed in Lewiston, Idaho to provide a safer nesting location for ospreys after an incident last year where an osprey died after getting tangled in bailing twine used to build its nest. Fish & Game, Avista Utilities, and the City of Lewiston collaborated on the project to replace the old platform with a shorter pole that will be easier to access in an emergency.

Why it matters

Ospreys are a protected species and an important part of the local ecosystem. Last year's tragic incident highlighted the need for a more proactive approach to providing safe nesting sites and reducing hazards that could harm the birds.

The details

The new pole is located near the Southway Bridge and is at a similar altitude to the previous nest. The shorter height will make it easier for authorities to access the nest with bucket trucks in an emergency. The old platform and nest have been removed to eliminate the bailing twine hazard. Now the community is being asked to help keep the area clean of any fishing line or other materials that could endanger the ospreys.

  • Last year, an osprey died after getting tangled in bailing twine used to build its nest.
  • Recently, the old platform and nest were removed.
  • On Wednesday, Avista Utilities installed the new shorter pole.

The players

Joel Sauder

Fish & Game Regional Biologist who was involved in the rescue efforts last year and the planning for the new pole.

Avista Utilities

The utility company that donated the pole and labor for the new osprey nesting platform.

City of Lewiston

Worked quickly to grant permission to add the new pole on land near the Southway Bridge.

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What they’re saying

“Last year it was a chain of events that no one could have predicted. Bucket trucks were not available, they were outside the county, the fire department's truck was in for repairs, we were on to plan g or f at that point to get this bird rescued.”

— Joel Sauder, Fish & Game Regional Biologist

“There's not much we can do to change their behavior. We're hoping by replacing this nest and taking down the old twine that eliminates that problem, and hopefully we can keep this nest clean so this won't be a problem in the future.”

— Joel Sauder, Fish & Game Regional Biologist

What’s next

The authorities are now waiting for the ospreys to arrive and start building a new nest on the updated platform.

The takeaway

This collaborative effort between local agencies and the community demonstrates the importance of providing safe nesting habitats for protected species like ospreys and the need for ongoing vigilance to prevent future incidents that could harm these birds.