A “family” tradition is being carried on at AES Indiana.
Since 1999, Peregrine falcon chicks have been hatching and growing up at AES Indiana's Harding Street Station on the city's southwest side. In 2013, a nesting box was added at the AES Indiana Petersburg Generating Station in southern Indiana.
The birds wander until they reach full maturity at around two-years-old. The young leave after four to six weeks, and may or may not return. The adults will stay the whole winter. They do not need to migrate because they have a steady food supply.
Peregrines were listed as a federally-endangered species in the early 1970's. Restoration efforts, begun in the Midwest in 1982, and specifically in Indiana from 1991-1994, have proved successful.
Although they are no longer considered endangered by either the federal or state government, Indiana Department of Natural Resources nongame biologist John Castrale said the peregrine falcon remains a species of special concern and will have the same protections enjoyed by other migratory birds under state and federal laws. The state removed the falcons from its list in October 2013 after summer surveys found that the birds are thriving at two dozen Indiana locations.
To watch the chicks, check out AES Indiana’s falcon cams. Chicks usually hatch sometime in March and stay around until early summer.
