Tiny Talons, Big Success: Bird City Volunteers Meet This Year's Peregrine Falcon Chicks

There are few rewards sweeter than getting an up-close look at baby peregrine falcons—and this year's Bird City volunteers got exactly that.

On June 1, a group of 17 volunteers gathered at the Allen S. King Plant in Oak Park Heights for the annual Peregrine Falcon Banding event. The experience offered a rare opportunity to witness one of Minnesota's most inspiring wildlife conservation success stories in action.

This year's nest produced three healthy male eyasses (young falcon chicks), each carefully banded as part of ongoing monitoring efforts. As the chicks were safely retrieved from the nest box high atop the plant's smokestack, their watchful parents made their feelings known, circling overhead and loudly voicing their concerns about the unusual visitors.

Allen S. King Plant

The Allen S. King Plant holds a special place in peregrine falcon conservation history. In 1989, it became the first power plant in the world to host a peregrine falcon nest box. Located nearly 400 feet above the ground, the nesting site has helped produce an incredible 82 wild peregrine falcons over the years, contributing to the recovery of a species that was once endangered in North America. The American peregrine falcon was officially removed from the U.S. Endangered Species List in August 1999.

A special thank you goes to Xcel Energy's John Bybooth and the Raptor Resource Program's John Howe for organizing the event and sharing their expertise with volunteers. Their work helps ensure that these remarkable birds continue to thrive for future generations.

Of course, while the conservation story is impressive, it's hard not to be distracted by three very fluffy, very photogenic falcon chicks. We hope you enjoy the photos as much as we enjoyed meeting them!

Thank you to all of the Bird City volunteers who help make experiences like this possible and support bird conservation throughout our community.