Peregrine Falcons

[AlumniClub]

Birds and WPS

High above the place where the Fox River meets the bay of Green Bay, nestled in the southwest corner of the roof of the industrious Pulliam Plant, you'll find a specially built home designed for the rare Peregrine Falcon. This unlikely spot has produced 30 Peregrine chicks since the nest box was built on the roof in 1996.

Two Pulliam Plant employees built the specially designed peregrine nest box. Once in place, it wasn't long after that a male peregrine discovered it. Green Bay's peregrines initially took up residence on the Tower Drive Bridge in spring of 1995. Because young peregrines that hatch under bridges usually fall out and drown, the idea of building a home atop of the Pulliam Plant became a reality. It worked.

The birds are attracted to power plants because of their tall stacks, their proximity to open water and the steady food supply of birds in the area.

The Wisconsin Peregrine Trust's goal is to establish 20 nesting pairs, which would enable the population to sustain itself in the state. The Trust hopes that the peregrines can be restored to the natural cliffs and rocky bluffs along the Mississippi River in western Wisconsin and also along the Door County peninsula. The WPS Resources Foundation provided a $7,000 grant to The Wisconsin Peregrine Trust in May 2004 to assist with this effort.

Between 2001 - 2004, 13 falcons were also born on the rooftop of the containment building at the Kewaunee Nuclear Plant. In 2003, three falcons were born.

Source - WPS Website at: http://www.wisconsinpublicservice.com/news/falcons.asp

[keith]

Thanks for sharing, RedRaven.

[AlumniClub]

Peregrine falcons are sleek, crow-sized birds of prey, famous for their speed and beauty. For hundreds of years, peregrines have been prized for the sport of falconry. Recently, however, they have become well known as a species endangered due to pesticide contamination. These magnificent birds are now making a comeback in many parts of their former range.

The peregrine’s bluish upperparts, black cap, black moustache below the eye, white chin and buffy under-parts barred with brown give it a striking appearance. It has dark brown eyes with yellow eye rings, a slate-blue beak and yellow feet and legs. Large, strong feet and a powerful, hooked beak enable the peregrine to carry and eat its prey. Peregrines are compact, fast birds with pointed wings.

As with most birds of prey, male peregrines are smaller than females. Male falcons are called tiercels, which means "one-third"; they are one-third smaller than females.

An immature peregrine falcon is similar to the adult, but has brown upperparts, a heavily streaked breast and a blue-gray beak, legs and feet.

More more information visit the WI DNR website at:
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/...rds/falcon.htm