Other Peregrine Projects > USA Peregrines

WI / Milwaukee - Valley Power - 2009-16

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Alison:
2016 NESTING SEASON

The resident male at this nest is Hercules, born in 2011 at St.Joseph's Hospital. He is banded black/red 60/H. The resident female is unbanded.

Last year, the old nest box was replaced with a brand new one. The birds seemed to approve, and successfully raised four chicks.

This year, four eggs are being incubated:

 

The Peregrine Chick:
Falcon shot, injured; authorities search for suspects - 2nd peregrine falcon found dead
WE Energies News / 11 March 2014

We are sad to report that a peregrine falcon that has nested at one of our power plant nest boxes has been shot. The adult female falcon from our Milwaukee County Power Plant was found injured recently in West Allis. The bird was unable to fly and in obvious distress. The falcon, named Madame X, was taken to the Wisconsin Humane Society’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (WRC) where she is receiving around the clock care.  Madame X has suffered extensive injuries. She has several shotgun pellets lodged in her body. She also has a broken coracoid (collar bone) and likely will not fly again. But she is showing signs of improvement, and the staff at the rehabilitation center is impressed by her feistiness and hearty appetite.

Authorities believe Madame X was purposely shot and are asking for the public’s help in making an arrest. The falcon was found at 2 p.m. on Feb. 27 in a yard outside the Cocktails & Dreams tavern at 55th and Grant in West Allis. Anyone who heard or saw anything unusual in this timeframe is asked to call the West Allis Crime Stoppers at 414-476-CASH (2274). Callers may request confidentiality.  A $5,000 reward is being offered by the Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the responsible party. In addition, the We Energies Foundation is contributing $2,500 to the WRC for Madame X’s continued care and recovery.

Peregrine falcons are listed as an endangered species in Wisconsin. They also are protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Act. Shooting a peregrine falcon is a serious crime, punishable by jail time and fines. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is the lead investigative agency in this case.  

We have been involved in Wisconsin’s peregrine falcon recovery effort since the early 1990s. We sponsored the release of captive-produced peregrines and then installed nest boxes at six power plant sites. To date, nearly 200 peregrines have been produced at our facilities. Last year, peregrines nesting at our power plants accounted for 20 percent of Wisconsin’s total state production.  The loss of Madame X from our Milwaukee County site is especially sad because she was the first falcon to successfully nest at that site. Last spring, she produced three young – Abigail, Vita and Stella. This was the first successful nest at Milwaukee County Power Plant since the plant’s nest box was installed in 2007. A successful nest for the 2014 nesting season at the site now is in jeopardy.

We also are sad to report that Swede, the adult male from our Valley Power Plant, was found dead recently. The bird suffered severe head trauma, although it’s unclear exactly what happened. Swede was 15 years old and had been a mainstay at Valley Power Plant for several nesting seasons. With Swede gone, a successful nest also is in jeopardy at this site.

We remain optimistic that new falcons will move into our Milwaukee County and Valley Power Plant sites as the nesting season is just getting underway. Once again, the public will be able to follow the activity via our live webcams, which will be available soon at we-energies.com/falcons.  We also remain optimistic that Madame X will continue to recover. We’re hoping she’ll eventually move to a new home at a nature center, where she can help in educational efforts. She can still live a long and healthy life, helping educate others about the importance of saving this endangered species.

The Peregrine Chick:
2014 NESTING SEASON

From Greg at WE Energies ...

Peregrines have been present all winter here. A new nest box has been built and will be installed after the nesting season. A new PTZ webcam also will be installed, which will allow us to ID the adults by reading their bands. For now, the old webcam is still working and should get us through the nesting season so we can document egg-laying and hatching.

The first egg was laid here on March 16 last year.

Kinderchick:

--- Quote from: carly on February 13, 2010, 18:00 ---I really like this nestbox... I like that it's deep enough so the eyases... (would) be hidden from predators.
--- End quote ---
I like this nestbox design too. But wouldn't a predator be able to smell them, if a parent weren't there to protect them? ???

Alison:
Two chicks for Maya and Swede:

 

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