They’re fast, formidable … and fluffy. Peregrine falcons are back at Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) and We Energies power plants and ready to find love, lay eggs and raise their young.
The 2022 nesting season marks a major milestone for the utilities’ peregrine falcon program. In 1992, more than a dozen peregrine falcons born in captivity were released from the Pleasant Prairie Power Plant. That falcon release kick-started the WPS and We Energies peregrine falcon program. Thirty years later, both utilities are still helping to restore the peregrine falcon population in Wisconsin.
This year, there are live nest box cameras at four WPS and We Energies facilities:
- Weston Power Plant in Rothschild
- Oak Creek Power Plant
- Port Washington Generating Station
- Valley Power Plant in Milwaukee
Last year, the first eggs were laid in late March. If all goes well, this year’s class of fluffy falcon fledglings should make their arrival later this spring.
If you need help identifying this year’s parents-to-be, Wisconsin Public Service’s peregrine falcon manager has put together a handy guide for each nest site.
In the meantime, the 30th anniversary celebrations are just beginning. Soon, people across Wisconsin and the world will help WPS name its chicks in a special throwback naming contest. We’ll share more details — and updates on each nest box — on Twitter and Facebook all season long.
Peregrine falcon program
WPS and We Energies began installing peregrine falcon nest boxes on power plants in the early ’90s. So far, 421 peregrine falcons have hatched at WPS and We Energies facilities — that’s 20% of all peregrine falcons born in Wisconsin.
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, we are committed to a cleaner future.