NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — An errant crow apparently caused a power outage that affected nearly 7,000 National Grid customers on Saturday morning.
While the utility company can't confirm for sure it was the bird, a crow was found at the North Adams substation, said National Grid spokeswoman Jackie Barry.
"Crows, sometimes when they alight or take off different parts of their body touch different parts of energized equipment and it can arc," she said, because of their size and wingspan. "There was no damage to the equipment but it shut off a number of breakers that are connected to three lines that serve Williamstown and North Adams."
The breakers flipped at about 10:30, affecting customers in North Adams' West End, Williamstown and south along the west side of Route 7, according to the company's power outage map. The outage lasted about 45 minutes.
The utility does put in animal deterrents but they can find their way in, said Barry, particularly squirrels.
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Gotta love iberkshires for being on the ball and getting this story up so fast! thanks!
To L Perry's point ... the opposite is likely to happen. I wonder how much National Grid guys make for overtime on a Saturday when they're called to take care of this. The little fried crow incident probably cost several hundred dollars in overtime. Do they get a four-hour minimum?
I once lived in the Berkshires, now live in New Hampshire. In the last 2 years I have lost my power for weeks at a time. Do not complain about 45 minutes!!!!!!
Don't know about anyone else but these crows are becoming quite the nusanace in many parts of the City. They have grown to an enormous amount. Wait 'til Spring, you'll get wake up calls about 4am. I hate the damn things. Wish there was something that can be done to get rid of them.
Any ideas? Maybe if enough of these incidents happen the authorities will do something about it?
@Liz I to once lived in the berkshires and live in NH as well.Ive been here since 2004.And Last Feb we lost power for 5 days.I can't believe someone would even think about asking the electric company for accomidations.45 Minutes is nothing compaired to how often we lose it up here.
To Well Done Crow: Right on! Rather than pay those guys a 4 hr min to come in and restore your power on a Sat morning, tell them to stay home! You wouldn't mind using candles and cooking on a fire in your yard till they come in on Mon morning.
Way to go genius....the damn crows are twice the size of a cat. Now there's an intelligent thought. Maybe a 12 gauge and some #2 birdshot would solve the problem. Although it is tough to do living in the city. Here's a thought, move to the country with the fisher cats and bears. They're more entertaining.
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — An errant crow apparently caused a power outage that affected nearly 7,000 National Grid customers on Saturday morning. 
