A misty fog rolled down the channel on May 28, 2009 as MDNR Wildlife Biologist's Nik Kalejs and Ernie Kafcas climbed 240 feet up the 360 foot chimney at the J.B. Sims Generating Facility. Kalejs and Kafcas were accompanied by Grand Haven Board of Light and Power employee’s Staci LeFurge and John Harloff with the much anticipated goal of banding this year’s Peregrine Falcon brood. The BLP reports their ninth 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's Nik Kalejs reported three chicks, or “eyas” in the nest box. “They are about 28 or 29 days old and appear to be very healthy,” Kalejs stated. Of the three chicks, two are female and one is male.

“It can be difficult to determine gender in these young birds,” Kalejs stated. “One of the chicks in particular was a big, healthy bird and clearly female,” Kalejs added, “Raptor females are typically larger and Peregrines, sometimes referred to as the ‘Great Footed Hawk,’ fall within the raptor family. This particular female, with her very large feet and talons, is a prime example     of that reference.”

The nesting box was installed on the chimney by the BLP in 1995 at the request of a local bird expert. A pair of Peregrine Falcons arrived at the site in the spring of 2000. They were identified by their leg bands as wild Peregrines that were born and banded at power plant nest sites in Wisconsin. In 2001, the pair became the first documented nesting Peregrine Falcons in the western half of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

The Falcons have traditionally produced three chicks each year at the Grand Haven BLP nest site, with the exceptions of 2004 when they produced four chicks and in 2008 when they produced two chicks. Including this year’s brood, a total of 28 chicks have been born at this site.

MDNR Biologist Kalejs is very pleased with the Grand Haven nesting site. “With twenty eight chicks in nine years, the Grand Haven nesting site is one of the greatest success stories in the State for restoration efforts,” Kalejs commented after completing the banding project. 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. “Birds of Prey tend to accumulate a lot of these compounds and harmful substances, which was the biggest factor in depleting raptor populations.”

Kalejs also reports approximately 400 active Eagle nests in the State with many along the Grand River, which are also a direct result of restoration efforts in Michigan.

“Banding these birds is one of the highlights of the year,” reports Kalejs adding, “Days like today reminds me why I wanted to get into the field.”

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 are at the B.C. Cobb power plant in Muskegon, the J.H. Campbell power plant in Port Sheldon, and 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. They are expected to remain in the area until fall, when they will migrate south. Adult Peregrines will mate for life, and generally use the same nesting site each year.

The Grand Haven Board of Light and Power produces and distributes electricity for approximately 13,350 in Grand Haven and the surrounding area. Created in 1896 by Grand Haven residents, the BLP is a not-for-profit, community-owned and locally-controlled electric utility.

Images from this year can be seen by clicking HERE.

View the LIVE Falcon Cam by clicking HERE.

Pictures from previous years can be viewed at the following links:

Pictures from the 2008 banding can be seen by clicking HERE.

Pictures from the 2006 banding can be seen by clicking HERE.

Pictures from the 2004 banding can be seen by clicking HERE.

Web camera pictures from 2003 can be viewed by clicking HERE, and pictures taken during the 2003 banding can be seen HERE.

For general information about the Peregrine Falcons, and for pictures of the banding of three Peregrine Falcon chicks in 2002, click HERE.

Information from previous years can be found at the following links:

Falcon news from 2008 can be seen by clicking HERE.

Falcon news from 2007 can be seen by clicking HERE.

Falcon news from 2006 can be seen by clicking HERE.

The Grand Haven Board of Light and Power produces and distributes electricity for approximately 13,400 customers in Grand Haven and the surrounding area.  Created in 1896 by Grand Haven residents, the BLP is a not-for-profit, community-owned and locally-controlled electric utility.