On May 21, 2010, a drizzly Friday morning, MDNR Wildlife Biologist's Nik Kalejs and Ernie Kafcas accompanied by Grand Haven Board of Light and Power employee’s John Harloff and Matt McKee climbed 240 feet up the 360 foot chimney at the J.B. Sims Generating Facility for the annual banding of the Peregrine Falcon brood. The BLP reports their tenth 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 Kalejs and Kafcas reported two chicks, or “eyas” in the next box, one male and one female, and one egg that will be sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for analysis. “The chicks are about 24 to 25 days old and appear to be very healthy,” Kafcas stated.

“It can be difficult to determine gender in these young birds,” Kalejs stated. “One of the chicks in particular was a large, healthy bird and definitely female.  Raptor females are typically larger and Peregrines, sometimes referred to as the ‘Great Footed Hawk,’ fall within the raptor family," Kalejs added.

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 produced chicks each year since 2001 at the Grand Haven BLP nest site. Including this year’s brood, a total of 30 chicks have been born at this site.

MDNR Biologist Kalejs is very pleased with the Grand Haven nesting site. “With thirty chicks in ten years, the Grand Haven nesting site is truly 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.”

“Banding these birds is truly one of the highlights of the year,” reports Kalejs.

BLP employees also look forward to the annual banding each year. Matt McKee made his first climb up the chimney this morning and is hoping to have the opportunity to do it again. When asked what he thought of the experience, he commented, "It was awesome. This is something I will always remember."

Operations Supervisor John Harloff also accompanied MDNR Officials, making this his ninth opportunity to assist with banding the chicks.

"He (the male chick) was really angry to be plucked out of the nest site for the banding," stated McKee. "He was screeching the whole time, until Harloff had him bundled next to his chest where he calmed down." After viewing the photo of Harloff with the male chick, McKee kiddingly referred to him as the bird whisperer.

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. Kalejs and Kafcas were heading north to the B.C. Cobb plant Friday afternoon to band their chicks.

Grand Haven area birdwatchers can watch the Peregrine Falcons from Linear Park on Harbor Island in Grand Haven.  The eyases will begin to learn to fly, or “fledge,” in three to four weeks.  They are expected to remain in the area until fall, when they will migrate south for the winter.  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 2009 banding can be seen by clicking HERE.

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 2009 can be seen by clicking HERE.

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.