Ameren Missouri, in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the World Bird Sanctuary (WBS), are providing the public with a bird’s-eye view of peregrine falcons raising chicks in a nesting box at the Sioux Energy Center. Officials from MDC and WBS will offer ongoing commentary on what’s happening in the nest and a video camera near the nest will provide live feeds to each organization’s website. The camera is live for viewing from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. (CDT), seven days a week.
The nest can be viewed on Ameren Missouri’s website at AmerenMissouri.com/FalconWatch. Already, the female falcon has laid her first egg. She is expected to lay more in coming days.
“We have worked on projects with the World Bird Sanctuary for more than 25 years to help preserve the biological diversity of the world around us,” Richard Mark, Senior Vice President, Customer Operations, said. “The peregrine falcon project has been one of the most exciting projects we’ve been involved in, and this year via video, we’re able to share with visitors to our website the amazing lives these birds lead in raising their young. It’s part of our ongoing commitment to being responsible stewards of the environment.”
“The Peregrine Falcon has made an incredible comeback from the brink of extinction. What we will see at Ameren Missouri’s Sioux Energy Center nest box is the fruit of tens of thousands of hours of labor to make the Peregrine Falcon a common sight again,” Jeff Meshach, director of the World Bird Sanctuary, said. “Yet, there is always something to learn about any of our world's birds and animals. Our camera will provide a window into the nesting life of the world's fastest creature, and I personally will find it hard to get any desk work done as I watch my favorite of the world's bird species.”
Viewers can link to the falcon camera on the websites of WBS at www.worldbirdsanctuary.org and MDC at www.mdc.mo.gov.
The falcon nesting at the Sioux Energy Center this year was first spotted in the beginning of February. Since then, researchers at WBS and MDC have been following the bird’s habits daily and are posting their observations on the website as updates warrant.
The websites will be available until nesting activity is complete and the female’s young have left the nest.
“This peregrine project will help Missourians discover nature right in the nest of these amazing raptors,” Bob Ziehmer, MDC director, said. “The project illustrates the power of partnerships between private and public sector organizations to help conserve native wildlife.”
For more information on peregrine falcons, visit MDC online at http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/peregrine-falcon.
Ameren Missouri and WBS have worked together to provide a suitable habitat for songbirds. Nesting boxes have been attached to Ameren Missouri transmission towers and the company has spent more than $300,000 to install nesting boxes and nesting tower material.
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Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than a century, and our electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. We serve 1.2 million electric and 126,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. Our mission is to meet their energy needs in a safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally responsible manner. Our service area covers 63 counties and 500 towns, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit AmerenMissouri.com.
Contact: Missouri Communications, 314.554.2182, missouricommunications@ameren.com