One sign of spring already has arrived: peregrine falcons have returned to a nesting box at Ameren Missouri's Sioux Energy Center. In partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and World Bird Sanctuary (WBS), Ameren Missouri invites bird lovers to tune in and watch an online webcam to experience the lives of these fascinating birds as they raise their chicks. The female falcon has just laid her first egg and her mate is taking his turn brooding.
FalconCam is live from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. (CDT), seven days a week at AmerenMissouri.com/FalconWatch until nesting activity is complete and the mother’s young have left the nest. The Sioux Energy Center has been home to nesting pairs of peregrine falcons and their chicks since 2011.
“Ameren Missouri is proud to once again partner with the World Bird Sanctuary and the Missouri Department of Conservation to give our community the opportunity to watch the falcons from this bird’s-eye view at our Sioux Energy Center,” said Warren Wood, VP, External Affairs and Communications. “This peregrine project is a perfect example of our commitment to the environment. We’re proud of our partnership that helps reintroduce this raptor to the Mississippi Valley.”
Viewers also may link to the FalconCam through the WBS (worldbirdsanctuary.org) and MDC (mdc.mo.gov) websites. Officials from WBS will provide commentary and answer questions online on what’s happening in the nest.
"Whether it's mom incubating the eggs and brooding the chicks, or the male falcon bringing in prey items to feed his family, no one wants to miss the action of this glimpse into the lives of the fastest of Earth's creatures," said Jeff Meshach, director of the WBS.
“Our cooperative FalconCam will help Missourians discover nature right in the nest of these amazing raptors,” said MDC Director Bob Ziehmer. “The project illustrates the power of partnerships between private and public sector organizations to help conserve native wildlife.”
The Department of Conservation’s Discover Nature Schools program for Missouri students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade provided related educational materials and activities to the more than 290,000 students in 1,000 participating schools. The program promotes conservation-related curriculum and hands-on learning experiences in nature to help students become life-long conservationists. Falcon-related activities and lesson plans were developed in partnership with the World Bird Sanctuary.
To watch the FalconCam and learn more about the peregrine project, please visit AmerenMissouri.com/FalconWatch.
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Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company's electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri's mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 127,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company's service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities including the greater St. Louis area. For more information please visit AmerenMissouri.com or follow Ameren Missouri on Facebook or Twitter.