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4 Essential Tips For The Bald Traveler

By: Author Dave Lee

Posted on Last updated: March 4, 2020

Surveying the landscape around Battambang, Cambodia

The bald traveler faces unique challenges on the road. Tropical beaches, water sports, and high altitude trekking can greatly increase the risks of sun exposure.

And the longer he is traveling, the greater the likelihood he will chalk up some painful burns on the ‘ole noggin.

Whether you suffer from male pattern baldness, complete baldness, or simply prefer the bold look of a hairless head, the following tips are worthy of consideration before embarking on your next adventure.

1. Bandanna

There is no greater tool in the bald man's arsenal against the sun than a classic bandanna.

Cheap, widely available, lightweight, sweat-soaking, snot-devouring bandannas are the multi-tool of head wear.

Just remember to buy a lighter color, such as blue, versus black, which will turn your head into the equivalent of an asphalt parking lot in summer.

Baseball caps, 360-degree rims, cold-weather beanies, or cowboy style all provide shade for your face, nose, and sometimes even ears and neck, in addition to your scalp.

Hats are useful when you're in the most exposed of conditions, such as fishing off the coast of a Caribbean island, or in cold-weather climates, such as atop the snow-capped peaks of the Himalaya. Both situations can offer few options for seeking shade.

3. Sunscreen

The bald man has probably tried every sunscreen or lotion under the…well…sun, and may even have a favorite.

The author, who has watched his hair disappear from atop his head throughout his mid-to-late twenties, tried out Bull Frog Quick Gel Sport Spray (SPF 36) on two separate trips to Costa Rica and Belize.

Being an alcohol based spray, it was easy to apply, didn't sting (as some can), and was extremely effective in the tropical heat.

4. Shade Strategy

The bald traveler can sometimes be identified by the zig-zagging pattern he makes as he dashes between spots of shade while walking along trails or roads during mid-day.

For those sensitive to the sun, planning your day around when it's strongest makes perfect sense…so do it!

Even those with hair tend to stay out of the sun in tropical locations due to the intense heat.

While these tips were written tongue-in-cheek, skin cancer is all too common. Stay safe on the trail!

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio . He's been to 66 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.

Planning a trip? Go Backpacking recommends:

• G Adventures for small group tours.
• Hostelworld for booking hostels.

Dina VagabondQuest

Tuesday 18th of January 2011

Funny! I'm far from bald, and I love doing #4. My husband is usually annoyed by me though, if I do that. It's too random for him.

Haha, glad to hear I'm not the only one Dina!

Monday 9th of April 2007

Yes, I'm definetly planning on spending a few weeks on the eastern side of Australia, after New Zealand, and before Bali!

Friday 6th of April 2007

I have a hat, that has been washed on the beach in Turkey, dipped in mountain streams in Scotland, nicely wetted in the cold streams of the Blue Ridge, faded in the sun in Australia.. Like my backpack my hat has seen many things. As a guy who shaves his head, Im never without a bandanna, must to the consternation of my wife. I have a fav bandanna but it hasn't seen as much as my favourite hat...

Thursday 5th of April 2007

I think we can call this the ultimate (and only) guide to traveling while bald. =P

This post made me laugh. My husband occasionally wears a bandanna or baseball hat, especially in the mountains, but he usually goes for the sunscreen. You have to build up that tan, because the tan face/pale scalp look does not work!

9 Ways To Know If You Are A ‘Good’ Traveller

by The Bald Wanderer · Published June 6, 2020 · Updated June 8, 2020

We’ve all seen them. The tourists that stick out like a sore thumb. Drawing attention from the locals (whether intentional or unintentional), rarely in a good way. What are some of the reasons that tourists stick out? Would you consider these types of tourists as ‘good’ travellers? Why or why not? If you think you’re a ‘good’ traveller and want to see if you match up, or if you just want to be a better traveller, look no further. Here are 9 ways to know if you are a ‘good’ traveller.

You Respect Local Customs

Don’t assume that everyone around has the same customs as you. In fact, some things that are done on a daily basis in the Western world can be seen as offensive in other parts of the world, and vice versa. Make sure to do a bit of research about where you’re going so you know in advance.

You Pack Light

See if you can fit all your travel necessities into one carry-on. The last thing you want to be doing is dragging big suitcases around behind you wherever you go. Always remember that there will be places to get laundry done so you don’t need to pack all your clothes, and you can find most basic toiletries all over the world (just ask for help with the translation).

You Plan Enough but Don’t Plan Everything

It’s not necessary to have an itinerary for every part of every day. Have a list of the most important things that you want to see and do. Reserve a small part of each day to do those things and leave the rest open. It’s ok to just be spontaneous sometimes and leave some room for discovery.

You Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Vacations, like life, are not meant to go perfectly all of the time. Weather can turn bad, the internet can sometimes go down at the hotel, flights can be delayed. When things happen that are beyond your control don’t worry about it or get upset. It’s all part of the experience.

You Aren’t Afraid to Get Lost

Maps can be out of date and some directions can get lost in translation. If you ever find yourself lost it’s ok. Don’t panic. Never be afraid to interact with the locals and ask for directions. Even if most of it can just be body language at times.

You Make Good Use of Travel Apps, but Don’t Rely on Them

Having travel apps at your disposal is very important, but you don’t want to be on your mobile phone or tablet all the time, and what if your battery runs out. Know how to use the apps, but don’t be dependent on them. Check out  The Points Guy’s  post  The Best Apps For Travel  for a list of the important apps to install before you leave.

You Try to Learn a Few Words in the Local Language

This has to be one of the most important points I can make to new travellers. The whole world does NOT speak and/or understand English, and raising your voice when they didn’t understand you the first time doesn’t help. Learn a few words and phrases in the local language of where you’re visiting. This will impress the locals so much. Even if you pronounce things wrong, at least you tried, and that’s what’s most important to them.

You Go With the Flow

Don’t let things get to you when you’re travelling. Embracing situations is all part of the fun. Imagine the stories you can tell when you get back home. Letting go is liberating, and accepting situations for what they are is part of the fun.

You’re Prepared if Things Don’t Run on Time

Trains, buses and planes don’t always follow the schedule. This can sometimes cause interruptions in your travel plans. That’s ok, don’t worry about it. Just go with it.

Just loving to travel doesn’t make you a ‘good’ traveller. There are certain characteristics that I believe ‘good’ travellers should have. I know there are some who may disagree with me, but I believe from my experience that the above 9 ways to know if you are a ‘good’ traveller are a pretty good start.

Tags: good traveller travel

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The Bald Traveler

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How We Started

The Bald Traveler came about during a trip the Founders took with friends to Japan in the Spring of 2019 to see the Sakura blossums and the sites of Japan. While in Hiroshima Dave and Jonathan took a walk at dusk to get some shots of the atomic peace park memorials before heading to Hiroshima Castle. While Dave was taking a picture of the Atomic Bomb Dome through the Cenotaph, Jonathan took a few pictures to get the lighting and snapped a picture of the back of Dave’s head framed by the Centoaph. Back at our AirBnB later that night we were looking at our pictures and we jokingly said that we should take more pictures of the back of Dave’s bald head and post them to Instagram. We started to do this and then started The Bald Traveler Instagram page. We continue to post pictures of the back of Dave’s bald head in areas that he visits on the instagram page. The pafe will never show Dave’s face as his is the bald traveler. This website is an offshoot of that experience as a way to help people travel and experience their fandom’s whether it is touring the locations featured in Yowamushi Pedal, visiting the Studio Ghibli Museum as a Totoro fan, walking the Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari, or visiting that castle that inspired Hogwarts in Harry Potter. We aim to help you find the locations you want…no…need to visit and create guides to make your trip a success. Whether you are an introvert or extrovert geeky fan our aim is to help you make the best trip possible.

Dave is The Bald Traveler , he has traveled the world both for pleasure and for work. He enjoys planning trips for himself and others and is always willing to explore new things. His typical vacation plan is to find a bunch of things to do and then wing it and see what he can and spend as much time as he needs wherever he is. He has taken formal tours and much prefers to leave the planning to the day of so he can spend hour at a location or just a few minutes depending on how he feels. He will however spend days and weeks helping his friends and others plan the most detailed trips with down to the minute itineraries if that is what makes them comfortable traveling.

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Susan enjoys traveling the world and seeing new sights. She likes spending time in nice hotels and being pampered by the finer things in life that she can justify while on vacation. She likes to let Dave create a travel guide for their trips and then just going with the flow as long as there is good food and shopping opportunities. She helps provide comments for the venues on the site and makes sure that the descriptions and notes are not to dry and boring.

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Travel Tips & Advice for the Fly 40+ Woman

Hi I’m Anne Marie aka BaldGirlWillTravel

 I waved goodbye to my high six-figure job, hopped off the hamster wheel of the American Rat Race, and made the leap abroad back in 2021. Now, I’m indulging my passion for travel while juggling roles as an HR consultant and part-time travel advisor.

With over 35 countries under my belt and counting, I’ve explored six continents and counting. My mission? To arm you with all the info and motivation you need to prioritize travel as self-care, whether you’re flying solo or with companions. And remember, age is just a number – you can absolutely make it happen!

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Eugene Levy's The Reluctant Traveler to Return for a Second Season

Season two of Levy's Apple TV+ travel show will stick to Europe.

Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Eugene Levy's Apple TV+ travel show, The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy , will be back for a second season.

"After experiencing season one, I've come to realize it's true what they say about travel broadening the mind—and, I guess my mind could still take some broadening. So I'm packing my suitcase once again and looking forward—with a healthy dose of trepidation—to whatever adventures lie in store," Levy said in a statement announcing the renewal. "Here's to trying new things—well, within reason . "

In February 2024, the trailer for The Reluctant Traveler season two dropped:

When Town & Country asked Levy where he'd like to go in season two, he said, "There is no place." He continued, "There's no place that's at the top of my list because I, again, I don't have that, 'I would love to see this country.' I'm not there yet." Yet, he does travel to seven different destinations, including Sweden, Italy, Slyt (an island in Germany), Saint-Tropez, and Milos, in Greece.

Season two will premiere on March 8, 2024. While we wait for the show to return, all episodes of season one of The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy are now streaming on Apple TV+.

Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma , a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram .

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Traveler, slaver, and the scourge of walruses, the ‘Black Viking’ sails towards the light

In a fascinating book, the icelandic researcher bergsveinn birgisson reveals the story of his medieval ancestor geirmundur hjörsson, forgotten by the sagas.

Among the most famous Vikings — Ragnar Lothbrok (meaning Hairy Breeches), Harald Fairhair, Erik the Red — the ninth-century Black Viking, Geirmundur Hjörsson hardly gets a mention. And this despite the fact that he came from a great royal lineage in Norway. He became one of the most important aristocrats in Iceland, owned a large fleet (he was a “king of the sea”), and went on untold adventures, traveling to places in the far north that his imagination had populated with monsters.

All sources indicate that Geirmundur was a very ugly man: More like a troll than a Viking. He received the nickname Heljarskinn (“Black Skin”) derived from Hel , the personification of death in ancient Norse poems, goddess daughter of Loki and the wicked giantess Angurboda (“She who causes sadness”) and who had a blackened complexion like a corpse.

Geirmundur’s ugliness in the eyes of his contemporaries, which actually revealed a puzzling foreign (possibly Siberian) ethnic origin, apparently banished him from traditional stories, the sagas (only a few fragments exist about him), and from the founding chronicle of Iceland, in which he would have played a decisive role. It also didn’t help that the Black Viking was not a famous warrior with great military feats like Harald Hardrada (the Merciless) or the cinematic Einar and Amleth, but that his activity focused on the slave trade (which he ran on a large scale) and walrus hunting, which, it must be agreed, is more difficult to sing about.

In a fascinating book with an Indiana Jones title, The Black Viking — available in English and now also in Spanish — the Icelandic researcher and writer Bergsveinn Birgisson, who is also a 30th generation patrilineal descendant of this mysterious character, delves into history, literature, archaeology, geography, and toponymy (and his own imagination) to bring the life of Geirmundur to light.

By the way, Birgisson, who has a PhD in Scandinavian Medieval Literature and is the author of numerous scientific publications, takes us on a deep dive into Viking society . The book covers all the Viking topics of debate, from Ivar the Boneless’s nickname to the controversy over whether the so-called blood eagle method of execution actually existed. The book’s highlights include the presence of Hallfredr the Troublesome Poet and the priceless history of the Helgafell mountain, which was so sacred that no one should look at it without washing first.

But apart from kinship, why investigate a character who was not a typical Viking? “His story covers the settlement of the Vikings in Iceland, which was a new territory, the maritime hunting economy (a much neglected aspect of Viking studies), and the policies of the aristocrats regarding slavery, on which little research has been done,” Birgisson explains to this newspaper. “Geirmundur also helps to change the stereotypical idea of the Viking . It must be remembered that less than 10% of the population was involved in war and pillage, perhaps even only 5%. The other 95% were merchants, farmers, fishermen, hunters, or people skilled in one craft or another. The modern meaning of Viking today is ‘people who lived in the Viking Age.’ So we have a lot of peaceful Vikings according to that meaning.”

What has caused the Black Viking to fall into oblivion? “Historians of the 12th and 13th centuries point out that he was the noblest, richest, and most powerful of the colonizers of Iceland, but despite this they did not want to write much about him. It’s as if they were saying: ‘We’re not going to forget him completely, but we’re not going to remember him much either.’ The reason is that his activities (large-scale slavery, hunting to extinction, his origins in Siberia, etc.) do not harmonize with the Icelandic founding myth, created by the pioneers of history on the island. “Geirmundur’s story was not the one they wanted to represent the exemplary, egalitarian founding of the country.”

In the book, which mixes his scholarly tone with his passion for research and in some passages happily subverts the conventions of academic writing; in one part Birgisson appeals directly to Geirmundur and we can hear a Viking navigator exclaim: “What a shitty fog!” We also follow the author in his meticulous and enthusiastic detective investigation and his discoveries. Likewise we accompany him on the journeys he makes in search of the elusive Geirmundur, a Viking from eleven hundred years ago whose stamping ground included Norway, the far north of Scandinavia, the northern coast of Russia (the Kola Peninsula, White Sea, Archangel, and the mouths of the Dvina and the Mezen), Ireland, and Iceland.

Birgisson maintains that the Black Viking was the son of a high-born woman captured as booty and made to marry King Hjor of Rogaland in Biarmia or Bjamarland, a territory that appears in the sagas and is believed to be northwest of Russia.

From his “bjarman” mother, who was perhaps a Samoyed (Nenet or Sikhirtian), Geirmundur would have inherited his “black” and “ugly” features — as perceived by Viking society. These would include very dark skin and hair; a flat, rounded face; a snub nose; and the Mongolian fold on the eyelids. This mixed-heritage Black Viking was a full-fledged — and very noble — Viking on his father’s side, but he and his twin brother Hamúndr had to bear the label of “different” and even “half-trolls” due to their maternal racial heritage. His appearance was not enough to inspire a skald, or Viking poet.

Birgisson takes us to Bjarmaland by boat — sensationally reconstructing the expeditions of the time. This was a cold, remote, and dangerous place, but it was also a land of huge opportunities for commerce. The Scandinavians went there to look for walruses ( hrosshvalr ) in particular, from which they obtained the precious tusks (the only source of ivory since the Europeans’ access to African elephants had stopped), oil (the author has done experiments to extract it), and most notably the ropes that were made from walrus skin ( svardreipi ) that were essential for Viking ships. Only this type of rope, considered the best in the world, were strong enough to control large sails in difficult conditions.

Hunting walruses was not easy (they weigh up to 1,700 pounds and are not manageable, Birgisson recalls). Surely the Vikings made agreements with the hunting peoples of the area to help them. In this context, Hjor traveled with his son Geirmundur to Bjarmaland and left him there (hardly voluntarily) to learn the techniques from the locals.

Apparently the Black Viking took a wife during his stay. She was a powerful woman, who was possibly a shaman. The knowledge he acquired later served him in his later career as a successful trader of walrus raw material — everything was walrus, from head to tail: even the penis bone was used to make knife handles. In the splendid Beyond The Northlands , Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough explains that even today the Royal Norwegian Polar Bear Society uses a walrus penis bone in the “knighting” ceremony for new members.

Geirmundur prospered after being rescued from his involuntary (but very profitable) Samoyed studies. Birgisson follows him on his travels to Ireland, which coincided with the decline of the Viking kings of Dublin, and then on the decisive expedition to Iceland, which he left in 867 with a group of Vikings, including Úlfur the Cross-eyed, Prándur Skinny Legs, and Steinolfur the Short.

On Iceland, Geirmundur, who had taken a large number of slaves captured in Ireland and perhaps some Bjarman hunters — to whom Birgisson attributes the current existence of Mongol characteristics in Iceland, such as Mongolian fold in the eyes of the singer Björk . Geirmundur settles in the northwest, in the Breidafjördur, a pristine landscape full of walrus, where he organizes massive slaughters of the animals and becomes enormously rich and powerful. He also exploits the highly prized eider feathers in his manor (sixty nests provide two pounds of feathers, enough for a down quilt). A century after the Black Viking, walruses were almost extinct in Iceland.

Among the unique moments in Birgisson’s story is another experiment. This one relates to the legend that in Snorraskjól, a meadow on Geirmundur’s land, a witch’s spell makes every man and woman who passes by feel an irresistible lust. The researcher does the test “as befits a truth-loving scientist” and gets an erection, sorry. “Well yes, it happened,” he writes in an unclassifiable passage. “I cannot explain what the reason for my erection was: whether it was that primitive magical force or my expectations.”

Questioned about the episode, the author considers that “whoever has a sense of humor cannot be completely wrong” and that his way of approaching the book involves presenting himself as a subject, “a man made of flesh and blood who is trying to uncover the history of my ancestor.” His message, he says, is that “you are no less scientific if you accept subjectivity as a fact, as long as you are honest about it.” In any case, he emphasizes that it is not a book written especially for experts” and certainly “not to favor a rigid academic way of thinking.”

“My book is hybrid in form, and the reason is that I want the general public to read it and not just specialists,” says Birgisson, who has published several novels — Reply to a Letter from Helga was an international success. “I am a scholar and a writer, so I want to be a person who uses their brain to the full and not just a part. The book is scientific, but the underlying concept is trying to step into the shoes of someone who lived eleven hundred years ago. It is a project in which certain liberties had to be taken to fill in the gaps in the story. That does not mean fantasizing for the sake of fantasizing, when I imagine something I always make it explicit and cite my sources.”

The scholar believes that Geirmundur had a ship burial in Iceland, and after tracing it suggests that it could be under the church of Skard, where some remains appeared under the altar in the 1980s. It’s an enigmatic ending to the reconstructed saga of the Black Viking.

We are seeing a real avalanche of new scientific and artistic contributions around the Vikings. What does Birgisson find most interesting about all this? “I am very surprised by the new popularity of the Vikings. When I started my studies in the early 1990s, there was a handful of us, and the subject was very marginalized. Perhaps our lives have become so boring that we look back to other times when life was more adventurous. Be that as it may, there are some things, for example in the ethics of Viking culture that we can learn from; they were not a barbaric or primitive culture at all. There are many scholars that I admire and I cannot mention them all. Material culture has been presented quite well by the Vikings series, but if we talk about films, it seems to me that The Northman better addresses the mentality of the time. As for female warriors, there is no mention in the sources, so I consider it a fantasy, although a very good one for a series.

As for what remains to be resolved about the history of the Vikings and their American experience, Birgisson comments: “The mind, mentality, and poetics of those people is what intrigues me the most. I wrote my doctoral thesis on that topic. The settlement of Vikings in America must have been very similar their experience in settling Iceland, or any other territory where the Norse settled. But there was a problem in America and Greenland that there was not in Iceland: other people. And that, it seems to me, is the main reason why the settlement was not successful or permanent.”

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Power of partnerships

Winter storms and cold weather bring our favorite snowy views, recreational sports and winter wildlife-viewing, but they can also bring power outages, travel delays and dangerous conditions. While we’re quick to blame the wind, snow and ice, did you know that storms aren’t the only cause of power outages? Sometimes, wildlife can be to blame, including our nation’s iconic symbol — the bald eagle! 

That’s right! Because of their rise in numbers, eagles are an increasingly common threat to our nation’s power lines, cell towers and transmission towers, occasionally interfering with winter heating and putting a frigid hold on typical household tasks. Thankfully, power companies like Pepco Holdings are finding new ways to work with wildlife, prevent power outages and maintain safe infrastructure for both people and wildlife. 

A population surge 

Bald eagles are an Endangered Species Act success story. In the early 1900s, people still regularly killed and even placed bounties on bald eagles, partly due to perception of eagles as threats to livestock and as competitors to hunters and anglers. After World War II, the pesticide DDT was used to control mosquitoes and washed into our nation’s waterways, eventually finding its way into bald eagles’ bodies and chemically interfering with their ability to produce strong eggshells, often resulting in eggs breaking during incubation. This widespread contamination pushed already-declining bald eagle populations towards extinction. Rachel Carson specifically highlighted the effects of DDT on bald eagles in her monumentally influential 1962 book “Silent Spring,” which helped lead to the bald eagle’s listing under the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966 and the banning of DDT in 1972.  

Following enactment of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the Service listed the bald eagle as endangered throughout the lower 48 states. We worked with partners to restore the bird of prey through captive-breeding, reintroduction, law enforcement and nest-site protections.  

After decades of concerted effort by many, the Service announced the recovery of our nation’s symbol on June 28, 2007, and removed it from the list of threatened and endangered species. Since the delisting, bald eagle populations have continued to grow at an astonishing rate, with this magnificent bird of prey reclaiming much of its historic range and finding particular success along on our rivers and waterways.  

Today, safeguards remain — bald eagles and their nests are still protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act year-round.  

The current problem 

For Pepco Holdings, power company to DC and parts of Maryland, the eagle's resilience is not only a virtue but also a source of concern. These innovative and persistent birds seek novel places to nest in their recovery — including on power poles, transmission towers and other infrastructure. Eagle nests range from four to six feet across and two to four feet tall and weigh up to a ton. They can create a massive safety issue for the eagles and people! Untidy nests, dangling branches, and even eagle excrement — colorfully named streamers — can damage lines and towers. 

  On a chilly February morning in 2021, a high voltage transmission line along the Potomac River in Maryland experienced an impact that could have led to a power outage if not for the substation breakers operating quickly to prevent an interruption in power delivery to customers.  When utility crews investigated the source of the impact, they discovered a sprawling and, to the judgmental human eye, messy bald eagle nest spanning the middle of a Pepco transmission tower. 

Investigators guessed that a stick from this bristling nest had slipped onto the conductor below, burned, and then fallen free, causing the short-lived outage. The nest alone constituted a challenge, but what truly complicated matters was what was in the nest: a dutiful adult eagle incubating its precious egg. Immediate action was needed to avoid more serious outages, yet the eagles warranted their own protection.  

A bright idea 

Thankfully, through the power of partnerships, Pepco Holdings is developing creative ways to protect breeding eagles and its energy customers during the cold winter season. The company’s Avian Protection Program biologist and its talented team of contractors from EDM International decided to try something new and unique, rather than remove the nest during the critical phase of incubation. Their solution was a conservation win and offers a valuable model of how we can find new ways to work with nature, together. 

After securing an Eagle Nest Take permit from the Service’s migratory bird program, Pepco Holdings began the first of its two-stage solution. It went to the nest in March 2021 to trim the most hazardous-looking sticks from the bottom of the structure structure Something temporarily or permanently constructed, built, or placed; and constructed of natural or manufactured parts including, but not limited to, a building, shed, cabin, porch, bridge, walkway, stair steps, sign, landing, platform, dock, rack, fence, telecommunication device, antennae, fish cleaning table, satellite dish/mount, or well head. Learn more about structure . Pepco Holdings and the Service anticipated correctly that this work would flush the adult eagle off its egg. Eagle eggs, like your average energy customer, need a consistent supply of heat during winter. Even a brief absence from mom and dad can spell catastrophe for an egg. Pepco Holdings was prepared though. Placing a specially designed mobile incubator over the egg during the work, Pepco Holdings successfully kept the egg at a safe temperature and humidity. The crew then left the area as quickly as possible.  

Then came the waiting. Ultimately, after weeks of close monitoring, it became clear that the first stage was a success: a young chick reared its head and, after several weeks of parental care, flew from the nest.    In the second stage, Pepco Holdings and engineering experts from AUI Power designed a nest-containment structure that would protect the nest and prevent future outages, a clever advancement on past nest-platform and tower-retrofitting designs. The structure reinforced the nest, making it stronger in the face of harsh winter storms, while also shielding the tower infrastructure from damaging sticks and streamers. This solution is cheaper than trying to relocate the nest and potentially safer than removing the nest, which might encourage the birds to simply select a new tower, recreating the situation. 

“Pepco Holdings was presented with a uniquely challenging situation and, in collaboration with EDM International, used its expertise and creativity to find a solution that protected its customers and the eagles, all while responsibly working within our rules and regulations,” explained Thomas Wittig, the Service’s Northeast eagle coordinator. “Collaborating with Pepco Holdings on this issue was a positive reminder of the amazing things we can achieve when working towards common goals.”    With bald eagle breeding populations continuing to grow nearly 10% annually over many areas of the U.S., these solutions are needed more than ever. Pepco Holdings nest containment strategy will serve as a valuable nest management tool and a collaborative solution that warms our hearts no matter the season.  

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