Phase 2 Owl Platform Deployment
Seven free Great Horned Owl platform installations were safely completed on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, across Carmel Highlands, Carmel Point, Carmel High Meadows, Pebble Beach (2), Pacific Grove, and Monterey by a dedicated team of nine volunteers with nary a splinter, despite operations that were both highly technical and inherently dangerous.
Click to enlarge
Owl Platform Deployment Tasks
Deployment of 15 “No Parking” traffic safety cones 72 hours prior to operations at six sites
Towing a 21-foot cherry picker to multiple installation sites, including a challenging Highway 1 U-turn
Two pre-event site reviews and a coordinated day-of traffic safety operation using radios, SLOW/STOP signage, and two hazard-strobed safety vehicles
Complex hydraulic cherry picker leveling and boom extension procedures
Working at heights of approximately 35 feet on an extended boom platform
Avoiding high-tension electrical lines and wiring hazards at multiple locations
Battery-powered chainsaw removal of dead branches near installation zones
Losing a drone in a tree — though the aerial footage was successfully recovered via the associated iPad app
Click to enlarge
Deployment Safety Protocols
Comprehensive safety protocols were maintained throughout the operation, including the use of safety vests, a cherry picker safety harness, radios, helmets, safety glasses, and gloves. The team also established clearly designated operational roles, including a cherry picker foreman, electrical hazard forewoman, reversing signaler, hitch forewoman, and traffic safety crew to ensure a disciplined chain of communication and a single point of contact during all critical maneuvers.
Click to enlarge
Phase 1 & 2 Deployment Coverage
Adopt an owl platform today. It's free!
Has a Great Horned Owl platform been deployed near you?