Peregrine Falcon Recovery Program

Though not the only reason for the peregrine falcon's decline, the pesticide DDT had passed through the food chain and weakened the shells of peregrine eggs, leading to the loss of many young before they could hatch.

The curtailment of chemical pesticides and the success of nest boxes like Thermal’s have led to an impressive recovery of the peregrine falcon population.

MRMC Thermal’s peregrine falcon nesting box is part of a state-wide falcon recovery program managed by biologist Greg Septon. Read this Wisconsin Falconwatch – 2018 Nesting Season Report (PDF) to learn more about Wisconsin peregrine falcon nesting activity and the 111 young that were produced.

Recent News

We are waiting to see if ‘Asa,’ the banded adult male who has been nesting at the Thermal plant for the past five years, returns again this spring. He and an unbanded female produced three healthy chicks in the nesting box in the spring/summer of 2018. The banded female named Tahoe, who had nested there with Asa the previous four years, had died before the nesting season began. Webcam images of the falcons nesting and caring for their young are typically available March through July.

 

Nesting Box Webcam

Through the box’s webcam, you can watch for the falcons to return, eggs to be laid and hatched and activity in the nesting box as the chicks grow during nesting season (March through July). Note that the webcam image below is not a streaming image but does refresh every 60 seconds; refresh your browser window to capture ongoing views.