We Energies: 2 peregrine falcons dead; bird flu likely the cause
We Energies peregrine falcons die
Two peregrine falcons that were occupying the nesting box at the We Energies Port Washington Generating Station site have died, likely from bird flu.
PORT WASHINGTON, Wis. - Two peregrine falcons that were occupying the nesting box at the We Energies Port Washington Generating Station site have died.
They were two of the site's longest-returning falcons, Brinn and Beasley.
But the falcon manager says there's reason to hope.
Nesting at the plant
What we know:
"I know the birds personally almost," said Falcons Manager Greg Septon, who has worked to restore the peregrine falcon population for decades.
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Brinn (left), Beasley (right) (Photo courtesy: We Energies)
You might have seen those efforts on the We Energies tower cams.
Power plants make ideal nests, but they can't protect the raptors from everything.
"This spring obviously, it hit home," added Septon.
Brinn gets sick, Beasley leaves
What we know:
Last month, he knew something was off when he noticed Brinn looked sick.
"Brinn was not looking well the day before, and then she laid dead in the nest box the next morning," said Septon.
Septon believes bird flu is to blame.
He says her mate, Beasley, left the nest a few days later and is likely also dead.
"There’s nothing you can do. If a peregrine feeds on an infected bird, there’s not much hope," said Septon.
Septon says this is the first year a peregrine falcon tested positive for bird flu in Wisconsin.
But he says there is hope already hatching.
New birds nest up
What we know:
"The good thing is the floaters were out there and reoccupied the port site very quickly, which is a good sign of the population being healthy enough where it can replace the losses," said Septon.
At the Milwaukee County Zoo, the aviary is still closed due to bird flu, but the good news is the veterinarian says they are seeing fewer cases and hope to reopen it soon.
"We have these wild birds on zoo grounds," said Christy Rettenmund, Milwaukee County Zoo Senior Staff Veterinarian.
Peregrine falcons return to We Energies power plants; sign of spring
Peregrine falcons have returned to We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service power plants – a sure sign of spring as the birds prepare to lay eggs, according to the utility provider.
Rettenmund says this year there were widespread cases across the U.S.
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"Now we all have to be concerned because it is everywhere," added Rettenmund.
Rettenmund says bird migration is almost over, which should keep bird flu cases down.
The peregrine falcon manager says there are at least 15 sites with eggs that will hatch at the end of the month.
The Source: The information in this post was provided by We Energies. FOX6 also spoke to the falcons manager and a veterinarian at the Milwaukee County Zoo.