Four peregrine falcons born in May atop MGE’s Blount Generating Power Plant - Blount, Livingston, Wilson and the one female falcon, Blair - have fledged and have all left the nest. This marks the second consecutive year falcons have nested and produced young in a special nesting box installed by MGE. The parents (Frightful, the mother, and Vern, the father) returned in 2010 after raising three chicks in the nesting box last year.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and private groups have worked together for more than 20 years to reintroduce and manage this endangered species.

Monday, June 21, 2010 - Falcon fledging has begun! Blount was first, departing his Blount Station nest on Saturday. This clip shows Wilson's fledge, as he departs Monday morning. The following day the final of the foursome, Blair, fledged as well, leaving the nest empty. It is unlikely that the fledged young will return to the nest during the balance of this year, although we hope to capture footage of parent or young falcons flying around the Blount Station before they depart for the year.

See the 2010 archive below for the video clips tracking the birds since February.

Learn more about how falcons take flight:

• A Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources expert explains how the falcon parents teach the young to fly.
• A National Geographic video shows the amazing speed and skill of adult falcons in the air.

Archives