It’s time for the next generation of peregrine falcon chicks to carry on a remarkable legacy of recovery. The chicks born this year at We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) power plants are officially being named after the legendary falcons that came before them — the “founding feathers” of the program.

During yet another successful nesting season, people around the world tuned in to live web cameras to watch these endangered birds hatch, grow and learn to fly. Thousands voted in this year’s naming contest.

Five chicks have received their names and identification bands. The remaining seven will receive their names in the coming weeks.

Here are the facts about this year’s falcon families:

 

Oak Creek Power Plant 

Proud parents Essity and Joel welcomed four chicks. This is Essity’s sixth year in Oak Creek, but it is the couple’s first year nesting together.

Their chicks were named after some of the incredible falcons that nested at the power plant years ago:

  • Atlanta — Atlanta was born at the former Pulliam Power Plant in Green Bay in 1996. She settled at the Oak Creek Power Plant in 1999 and produced 41 chicks in her 12 years there.
  • Scott — Scott nested in Oak Creek for 11 years. He raised 28 chicks between 2006 and 2016.
  • Eclipse — Eclipse was the female falcon at the Oak Creek Power Plant from 2011 to 2017. She was born in Ohio in 2009.
  • Leopold — Leopold was born in captivity and released at the former Pleasant Prairie Power Plant in 1992. He kicked off the falcon program and raised 42 chicks over the course of his life.

 

 Port Washington Power Plant

Hamm’s Solo and an unbanded female falcon moved into the Port Washington Generating Station nest site after beloved, long-term residents Brinn and Beasley died earlier this year. The new couple welcomed four chicks late in the season who will be named and banded in June.

 

Valley Power Plant in Milwaukee

Barney and an unbanded female welcomed one chick this year. This is the couple’s first year together, although the female falcon likely has been present since 2014. Their lone chick is female and will follow in the footsteps of an incredible namesake:

  • Breezer — Breezer was the resident female falcon at the former Pleasant Prairie Power Plant from 1999 to 2008. She produced 31 chicks.

 

 Weston Power Plant in Rothschild

Sheldon and an unbanded female are raising three chicks this year. This is Sheldon’s 10th year nesting at the Weston Power Plant, and likely the second for the unbanded female. Their chicks will be named and banded in June.

 

About the identification bands

Banding the chicks is a crucial step in peregrine falcon recovery efforts. Every 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 each falcon by the combination of colors, letters and numbers. This allows experts to determine key facts, like how far falcons are traveling and how long they’re living in the wild.

Peregrine falcon program

We Energies and WPS began installing peregrine falcon nest boxes on power plants in 1992. So far, 465 peregrine falcons have hatched at We Energies and WPS facilities — that’s 20% of all peregrine falcons born in Wisconsin.

This program is another way We Energies and WPS are building a bright, sustainable future. From helping endangered animals and restoring natural habitats, to building new solar facilities and reducing carbon emissions, the companies are committed to a cleaner future.