Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) is celebrating another memorable moment in a milestone year for its peregrine falcon program. A pair of chicks nesting at the company’s Weston Power Plant officially received their names and identification bands Monday, June 20.
Weston Power Plant’s peregrine class of 2022 includes Dream (a male falcon) and Scrunchie (a female falcon). Their names are inspired by 1992, the first year of WPS’ and We Energies’ peregrine falcon programs, and were selected by falcon fans during this year’s throwback naming contest. Dream is in honor of the 1992 Olympic gold-medal Dream Team, while Scrunchie is in honor of the unique fashion of 1992.
This year’s peregrine falcon chicks are the 40th and 41st chicks to hatch at Weston Power Plant. A total of 12 chicks have hatched, been named and banded at all four WPS and We Energies’ nest boxes this year.
The Weston Power Plant chicks will remain in the nest box for another 2-3 weeks before taking their first flights and starting their own lives.
About the banding
A crucial step in WPS and We Energies’ peregrine falcon recovery efforts is banding the chicks each year. The companies’ peregrine falcon manager places small metal bands on the chicks when they’re about three weeks old. The bands allow people to identify the falcon by the combination of colors, letters and numbers. Birdwatchers can then contact the falcon manager and let him know they’ve spotted one of the peregrines in the wild.
Peregrine falcon program
WPS and We Energies began installing peregrine falcon nest boxes on power plants in the early ‘90s. So far, 433 peregrine falcons have hatched at WPS and We Energies facilities — 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.