The Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant is proud to announce the addition of five peregrine falcon babies this year to their site population. A nest box atop of the plant’s Unit 1 Containment dome has been home to annual hatchings of falcon babies since the first box was installed in 1994. The young falcons – technically called “eyasses” – were recently banded, and will soon fledge upon reaching 40 days old.

“All babies appeared to be quite healthy,” said Frank Sperlak, senior chemistry technician who is also the site Peregrine contact. “Along with having five falcons this year – an unusually high number –is that one baby was noticeably smaller than the others. This leads us to believe it was hatched several days later than the others.”

The Prairie Island nest is a man-made habitat and one of 53 sites in Minnesota with peregrine occupancy monitored to restore the peregrine falcon population in the Mississippi River valley. Since the installation of the nesting box in 1994, more than 60 young falcons have been hatched at the Prairie Island plant.

Fledging of the young falcons is expected to occur around June 20.

From the top of the plant’s containment structure, Alicia Johnson, Prairie Island communication coordinator, holds a young falcon baby after its been banded.