Dairyland and the Raptor Resource Project have banded four falcon chicks at Dairyland's Alma (Wis.) power plant nesting site. The chicks were identified as one male (Norman) and three females, two of which were named Salem and Panther, in recognition of Dairyland's environmental stewardship initiatives with West Salem Elementary School. The third female was named Piper.

Why band? Bands provide a way to study the falcons' life histories which includes learning about their range, population numbers and migratory behaviors.

This year's falcon chicks successfully hatched at Dairyland's Alma Site nesting box at the end of April. The four chicks are the offspring of a returning unnamed female from a 2015 hatch at Midwest Plaza in Minneapolis and an unbanded male. The chicks are expected to fledge the nest in early July. You can follow their growth and progress towards fledging in real time through our Falcon Cam!

About the program: Dairyland’s Peregrine Falcon Restoration Program began in the 1990s and, since then, 157 falcons have fledged from the Alma and Genoa sites combined. This is a great testament to the power of collaboration between industry and the environment. In 2021, the nesting box and Bird Cam at Dairyland's Genoa Station #3 were removed due to the retirement of the plant. 

Photo: Dairyland Manager, Environmental Affairs Erik Hoven carefully holds a falcon chick in Alma during the banding process.