This undated screen grab shows an osprey that has been trying to build a nest on a Maryland traffic camera. (MyFoxDC.com)
A small bird is ruffling the feathers of Maryland state officials as they battle a determined osprey that has been trying to build a nest in front of a traffic camera since last week.
Maryland Transportation Authority reportedly removed a nest three times from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, before a branch was spotted lying before the camera again late Tuesday, according to the Baltimore Sun.
"We're concerned because she's blocking one of our traffic cameras that we use for monitoring traffic conditions at the bridge," John Sales, an authority spokesman told the Baltimore Sun.
“The camera moves back and forth and we notice whenever it does that the bird gets agitated,” he said.
Sales said the MDTA was given permission from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove the nests as long as there were no eggs.
“I think it’s a wise decision,” Joel Dunn, executive director of the Chesapeake Conservancy told MyFoxDC.com.
“There are lots of other alternative sites for them to nest. In fact, we actually saw them flying just down the street here looking at a couple of other options,” he said.
Dunn said the osprey population has made a massive comeback in Maryland over the past 40 years since the chemical DDT was banned.
Until the ospreys find a location preferable to the Bay Bridge, the battle will likely continue, Glenn Therres, associated wildlife director in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources told the Baltimore Sun.
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