Wednesday, May 25, 2010, Grand Haven -- On a rainy spring morning, MDNR Wildlife Biologist's Nik Kalejs and Grand Haven Board of Light and Power employee's Matt McKee and Paul Cederquist climbed 240 feet up the chimney at the J.B. Sims Generating Facility for the annual banding of the Peregrine Falcon brood. The BLP reports their eleventh consecutive brood raised by a pair of rare wild Peregrine Falcons that began nesting on the Grand Haven power plant's chimney in 2001.
Wildlife Biologist Kalejs reported one chick in the nest box along with one remaining unhatched egg, which will be sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for analysis. "The chick appears to be about 24 to 25 days old and very healthy," Kalejs stated.
"It can be difficult to determine gender in these young birds," said Kalejs, "but I believe the chick was male, so we placed a male band on the leg ensuring there was plenty of room for growth," Kalejs added.
The BLP originally spotted four eggs in the nest box through their falcon cam, however, only one of the four hatched. "We're not certain why the other three didn't hatch, it could be as simple as the advancing age of the adults," stated Kalejs.
At the end of the banding, Kalejs was able to take a couple of photos of the mother falcon in an effort to identify her bands. "Just before I made the descent the mother landed on her perch so I was able to snap a couple of photos, then leaned out over the edge to get a close up of her bands, but she stepped into the nest box right before I could take that shot," stated Kalejs.
The Falcons have produced chicks at the Grand Haven BLP nest site each year since spring 2001 bringing the total to 31 with this years chick;18 females and 13 males.
MDNR Biologist Kalejs is very pleased with the BLP nesting site. "Thirty-one chicks in eleven years is impressive. The Grand Haven nesting site continues to be one of the greatest success stories in the State for restoration efforts," Kalejs stated.
Peregrine Falcons were listed as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1970, after their Midwest population was eliminated in the mid-1960s due to problems with the pesticide DDT. In 1999, following extensive restoration efforts, the Peregrine Falcon was removed from the federally endangered species list, but it remains on the Michigan endangered species list.
"Restoration efforts have come a long way and can be attributed to restrictions on the use of pesticides, including DDT, man-made structures, and hacking programs," Kalejs commented. "Banding these birds is truly one of the highlights of the year," added Kalejs.
BLP employees also look forward to the annual banding each year. Matt McKee, Senior Meter Reader made the climb for his second banding expedition and was also able to assist Kalejs with the banding this morning.
"He (the male chick) was squealing the whole time," stated McKee. "He is definitely nice and healthy," McKee added.
Paul Cederquist, the BLP's Environmental Compliance Manager, made his first journey up the chimney to assist by photographing the event for the BLP.
The Grand Haven nest site is currently one of four confirmed Peregrine Falcon nests in the western half of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The other sites include the B.C. Cobb power plant in Muskegon, the J.H. Campbell power plant in Port Sheldon and a site on the Kent County Court Building in downtown Grand Rapids.
Grand Haven area birdwatchers can watch the Peregrine Falcons from Linear Park on Harbor Island in Grand Haven. The eyas will begin to learn to fly, or "fledge," in three to four weeks and is expected to remain in the area until fall before migrating south for the winter. Adult Peregrines will mate for life, and generally use the same nesting site each year.
Created in 1896 by Grand Haven residents, the Board of Light and Power produces and distributes electricity for approximately 13,500 customers in Grand Haven and the surrounding area. Grand Haven Board of Light & Power. Community-owned. Locally Controlled. Not-for-profit. Environmentally Responsible.