Peregrine falcons and great horned owls

Recognizing the problem

When the chemical pesticide DDT was widely used, peregrine falcon populations declined. The DDT passed through the food chain, causing eggshell thinning and subsequent loss of young in many raptor species. Peregrine falcons, native to Wisconsin, were placed on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Endangered Species List in 1973. After decades of dedicated recovery efforts, peregrine falcons recovered and were delisted in 1999 but remain on Wisconsin's endangered species list.

Helping the recovery

About 20 percent of the peregrine falcons born in Wisconsin have hatched at our power plants in special nesting boxes we installed on our power plant chimneys.

Owl nesting

In recent years, great horned owls have used a nesting box at Oak Creek Power Plant.

Webcams

You can view images of falcons nesting at our power plants. Nesting and caring for young typically occurs from March through July.

Power plant nesting box webcams

Video

We support recovery efforts of the Wisconsin Peregrine Society, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Milwaukee Public Museum, and we funded production of an award-winning video on peregrine falcon history in Wisconsin. 

Order peregrine falcon video

Nesting reports

2011:
Falcon update, July 5 (PDF 514k)
Falcon update, May 4 (PDF 512k)
Owl update, April 18 (PDF 256k)
Owl update, Feb. 17 (PDF 848k)
2010: Final report (PDF 897k)
2009: Final report (PDF 923k)
2008: Final report (PDF 756k)
2007: Final report (PDF 405k)
2006: Final report (PDF 405k)
2005: Final report (PDF 283k)

Reporting raptor nests

We offer $100 rewards to those who discover and report new raptor nests on our property.

Report a raptor nest on the We Energies property

Learning more

Go to the Peregrine Fund