In a record-breaking competition as fierce as the falcons themselves, 22,000 votes were cast to name this year’s peregrine chicks after northeast and north-central Wisconsin news anchors.

WTAQ-AM, followed by WAOW-TV, both deserve feathers in their caps for the highest total vote counts. But all the stations made quite a showing, with strong vote totals for several candidates across the region.

The names that will be given to this year’s falcons at the Weston Power Plant are:

  • “Matt Tweet” in honor of Matt Z. from WTAQ-FM
  • “Kyle Prey-zorski” in honor of Kyle Pozorski from WAOW-TV News 9
  • “Featherson Lehmann” in honor of Emerson Lehmann from WBAY-TV Action 2 News
  • “Jade Eggshell” in honor of Jade Henschel from WFRV-TV Local 5 News

Runners up:

  • “Rachel Chirpniak” in honor of Rachel Charniak from WTAQ-FM
  • “Falcon Taylor” in honor of Erinn Taylor from WSAW-TV Newschannel 7
  • “Tweet Petoniak” in honor of Pete Petoniak from WLUK-TV Fox 11 News
  • “Rob Soarin’” in honor of Rob Sussman from WTAQ-FM
  • “Mike Flightschner” in honor of Mike Leischner from 550 WSAU-AM
  • “Tammy Eggliott” in honor of Tammy Elliott from WBAY-TV Action 2 News
  • “Falcon Garlock” in honor of Jackson Garlock from WAOW-TV News 9
  • “Justin Flown” in honor of Justin Loew from WAOW-TV News 9
  • “Kassandra Skypeda” in honor of Kassandra Sepeda from WSAW-TV Newschannel 7
  • “Bird Miller” in honor of Brad Miller from WAOW-TV News 9
  • “Chirp Conley” in honor of Chris Conley from 550 WSAU-AM

You can keep an eye on the nine chicks and four eggs at WPS and We Energies power plants across Wisconsin by watching the live cameras. In the coming weeks, the chicks will grow, build strength and learn to fly.

About the peregrine falcon program

WPS and We Energies began installing peregrine falcon nest boxes at power plants in the early 1990s to support the species’ recovery in Wisconsin. Since then, 465 peregrine falcons have been named and banded at company facilities — representing 20% of all peregrine falcons born in the state. This program is just one way WPS and We Energies are building a bright, sustainable future.