Spanning thousands of miles, the poles that enable Southern California Edison to distribute electricity represent a vital segment of the company’s infrastructure. Supporting the electrical lines that power the homes and businesses of millions of Californians, SCE’s wooden poles sometimes also serve an unintended purpose — as a home, breeding ground and even food storage facility for the California native acorn woodpecker.

A colonial species, acorn woodpeckers bring the entire family when they decide to move in, along with a few close friends. In fact, acorn woodpecker colonies can range in size from two birds to as many as 15 in one pole.

When it comes to protecting avian species and habitats, SCE is setting the standard and there is no exception when it comes to the acorn woodpecker. While they may represent welcomed neighbors throughout SCE’s service area, the fact is the collective carpentry of an acorn woodpecker colony can cause heavy damage to wooden utility poles. Depending on how long it has been in use, a typical granary (for food storage) can contain thousands of holes.

“Whether they’re using the pole as a granary or to create cavities to raise their young in, their activity significantly shortens the life span of the poles,” said Kara Donohue, Environmental Services senior advisor, who manages SCE’s Avian Protection Program.

When occupied by a larger colony, a pole’s structural integrity can be critically compromised within weeks of their arrival. If it gets to a point where the pole is deemed a hazard, SCE is required to remove it for the well-being of employees, customers and the birds themselves. When a damaged pole requires replacement or removal, SCE follows a carefully deliberated plan to ensure the safety of any active nest or colony.

“When we’re examining the extent of the damage, we’re checking to see if there are any cavities,” said Donohue. “If there are cavities or nests, and it’s during nesting season (March 1-Oct. 31), we’ll engage our Environmental Services team for a survey by a biologist to make sure all existing cavities are inactive before removal.”

If an active nest is present, SCE will put a hold on the removal and resurvey when the nest is estimated to be fledged (the point in time when young birds leave the nest). “There have been occasions where a pole is identified as an emergency and in need of immediate removal or replacement with an active nest present,” said Donohue. In this case, the old pole may be left in place until the nest is inactive, when a crew will return to remove the old pole.

While SCE’s priority is always the safe delivery of reliable, cost-effective and renewable energy, the company makes every effort to ensure the protection of avian species and habitats.

“We’re here to provide power,” said Donohue. “But we are also stewards of our environment. With those priorities in mind, we do everything we can to protect the birds.”