Central Wisconsin’s favorite peregrine falcons are celebrating an early Mother’s Day gift. The first peregrine falcon egg of the spring has been laid inside the nest box at Wisconsin Public Service’s (WPS) Weston Power Plant near Wausau.
Proud parents Sheldon and an unbanded female falcon welcomed their first egg of the nesting season Monday night, May 6. Sheldon is nesting at the Weston Power Plant for the ninth straight year, while the unbanded female falcon is spending her first year inside the nest box. This is the 12th egg to be laid inside the nest boxes at WPS and We Energies power plants this spring.
Sheldon and the unbanded female falcon will take turns incubating the egg during the next few weeks. More eggs also may arrive in the coming days. If everything goes well, the eggs in the Weston Power Plant nest box could begin hatching in about a month. Now is a great time to tune into the WPS and We Energies live nest box cameras for a bird’s eye view of the new eggs and chicks arriving at nest boxes across Wisconsin.
Naming contest nears finish line
Falcon fans can ‘squawk the vote’ to name each of the WPS and We Energies peregrine falcon chicks after their favorite Wisconsin Olympic medalists. It’s a tight race to the finish line — everyone can help their favorites grab a spot on the podium by voting through Thursday night, May 9, at www.surveymonkey.com/r/squawkthevote.
Peregrine falcon program
A total of 444 chicks have been born at WPS and We Energies power plants in Wisconsin and Michigan since the program began in 1992. That means 20% of all peregrine falcons born in the wild in Wisconsin during that time hatched at WPS or We Energies facilities, helping the endangered bird escape possible extinction.
This program is another way WPS and We Energies are building a bright, sustainable future. From helping endangered animals and restoring natural habitats, to building new solar facilities and reducing carbon emissions, they are committed to a cleaner future.