Ameren Missouri is proud to continue its commitment with the World Bird Sanctuary(WBS) and the Missouri Department of Conservation(MDC) to give communities a live bird’s eye view of nesting Peregrine falcons from Ameren Missouri’s Sioux Energy Center.
The female falcon has just laid her first egg and along with her mate, they are busy preparing for the arrival of their chicks. Ameren Missouri, WBS and the MDC are celebrating the fifth season of providing a live camera feed of these endangered birds.
“We’re proud to support a project to repopulate the Mississippi Valley with Peregrine falcons,” said Warren Wood, VP, External Affairs and Communication. “It’s part of our shared passion with our partners, the World Bird Sanctuary and the Missouri Department of Conservation to protect and preserve the environment.”
The ongoing interest in the lives of these amazing birds is reflected in the number of viewers who watch the live camera feed. In 2015, the live stream was viewed more than 80,000 times and peaked at nearly 2,000 views per day in early April and May when the eggs were laid and the chicks hatched.
“The fastest creatures in the world have to slow down sometimes,” says Jeff Meshach, one of the 3 acting directors of WBS. “Catching nesting activity from the lens of our small camera gives one and all a look at the beautiful colors of the adults, chick interaction, the prey the adults bring to the kids, and many other details you wouldn’t normally be able to see.”
Over the past four seasons, bird lovers have been able to watch an adult pair of falcons raise 17 falcon chicks. Falcon Cam is live from 7a.m. until 8p.m. (CDT) seven days a week at AmerenMissouri.com/FalconWatch until nesting activity is complete and the young chicks have left the nest.
“Our cooperative Falcon Cam 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.”
###
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 130,000 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 AmerenMissouri on Facebook or Twitter.