It was high drama – literally – in Osterville Wednesday afternoon when an occupied osprey nest atop a utility pole caught fire.
It happened at the intersection of West Bay Road and Bridge Street. Centerville-Osterville-Marstons Mills fire and Barnstable Police responded to the scene, as did a number of concerned onlookers.
Three osprey chicks were in the nest as the parents nervously circled them, encouraging them to take a leap of faith and avoid the flames. They did, making it to the pavement where all three were then cared for by COMM Firefighters and the Barnstable Animal Control Officer.
Eversource shut down the power to the utility pole so the fire could be put out and the pole evaluated for possible damage.