Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Where are they now?: Blaze

He was named in honor of blaze orange worn by Wisconsin hunters, but Blaze the peregrine falcon prefers camouflage when he’s on the hunt. The young adult was recently spotted in Glendale, blending into his surroundings.

Blaze (middle) was one of three chicks born at the Valley Power Plant in Milwaukee in 2020. Our customers voted to name him and his siblings, Brandy and Hoppy, after some of our favorite things about Wisconsin



Paul Sparks spotted Blaze in May at Kletzsch Park in Glendale and reached out to our peregrine falcon expert, Greg Septon. Sparks sent us these pictures and gave us permission to share them. 


Sightings like this one are always exciting, because after our peregrine falcon chicks leave the nest, we never know if we’ll see them again. Septon was able to make the identification thanks to the small bands we attached to Blaze’s legs while he was still a nestling. 

Peregrine falcon program

We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) are honored to be a part of a statewide effort to restore the peregrine falcon population. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources added peregrine falcons to the state’s endangered species list in the 1970s.

Since our first successful nest in the mid-’90s, 421 peregrine falcons have hatched at our facilities. The falcons are drawn to tall structures along Lake Michigan or major rivers, which make many of the We Energies and WPS facilities ideal nesting sites.

This program is another way We Energies and WPS are building a bright, sustainable future. From helping endangered animals and restoring natural habitats, to building new solar facilities and reducing carbon emissions, we are committed to a cleaner future.

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