Swans Flying Into Power Lines Causes Power Outages in Oakland County

We hear of power outages all the time in Michigan but it's usually due to high winds, freezing rain, or a nasty thunderstorm. I don't think I've ever heard of swans being the cause of a power outage.

Well, apparently that's exactly what is happening in Oakland County. Swans are flying into the power lines around Cass Lake, ultimately causing power outages for homes and businesses in the area.

As you can imagine, watching a swan fly into power lines isn't a pretty site. As you can see in the video above, the swan flies into the power lines causing a big jolt and flash. Then you see the poor thing drop to the ground.

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According to WDIV, It’s been happening most often right on the border of Keego Harbor and Waterford Township, where Cass and Sylvan lakes come together. There are so many power lines hanging overhead in that area, I can see why these swans are flying into them.

Mute swans are an invasive species but frying them out of the sky is probably not the best option to get rid of them.

Environmentalists are hoping that DTE will invest in swan flight diverters which go on overhead lines to increase their visibility to the birds.

The diverters are designed for use on overhead conductors to create greater visibility for avian flight paths on overhead lines. The video below explains how it all works.

Mute swans aren't innocent however, they do cause a lot of problems including the destruction of native plants, they collide with planes, they're aggressive to humans, and they leave behind some serious fecal droppings.