We Energies
03/04/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 03/04/2021 10:26
Where are they now?: The Beak Freak
Like his namesake, 'The Beak Freak' is in midseason form. The peregrine falcon, named after Giannis 'The Greek Freak' Antetokounmpo, has been spotted in Jefferson, Wisconsin.
You may remember The Beak Freak was born in May 2019 at the Oak Creek Power Plant and named after the Bucks MVP by fans as part of our sports legends naming contest.
After The Beak Freak left the nest, we didn't know if we'd ever see him again. But in October, Matt Hill captured the tell-tale band on The Beak Freak's leg from the nest box webcam at the Valero Renewables nest site in Jefferson. Matt kindly granted us permission to use his image here.
We're thrilled to see him making his way in the world a year and a half later.
Stay tuned for the start of the 2021 peregrine falcon nesting season coming later this month. If everything goes well, we'll meet a brand-new class of chicks and watch them hatch, grow and fly away.
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, 410 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.