FalconCam History

Minnesota Power proudly serves 141,000 electric customers
in Northeastern Minnesota and Northern Wisconsin.

FalconCam

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Banding

History

Due to use of the pesticide DDT, Minnesota's peregrine population had been wiped out by 1965. A peregrine was spotted in downtown Minneapolis in 1987. And in 1992, Minnesota Power provided a home for the first two falcon chicks born in Itasca County since the mid-'60s.

History of the falcons at Boswell

In 1991, in an effort to help preserve this endangered raptor, Minnesota Power installed a nesting platform on a stack at Boswell. In ‘92, a lone male found refuge on the nest, and in ’93, a pair of peregrines raised two chicks, the first ever in Itasca County. Since then, 42 chicks have been raised on the platform.

1992	Nest box installed – 1 male stayed all summer.
1993	Two falcons return to the nest April 6. Raised 2 young, 1 male, 1 female – banded 7/10/93.
1994	Both birds return March 14. Raised 3 young, all male – banded 6/21/94.
1995	Male returns 3/11, female 3/23. Raised 3 young, 2 female, 1 male – banded 6/28/95.
1996	Male returns 3/5, female 3/18. Raised 1 female – banded 6/28/96.
1997	Both birds return 3/18. Raised 4 young, 2 males, 2 females – banded 6/12/97.
1998	Both birds return 3/3. Raised 4 young, 2 males, 2 females – banded 6/3/98.
1999	Both birds back 2/27. Raised 3 young, 2 females, 1 male – banded 5/27/99.
2000	Both birds back 3/1. Raised 4 young, all females – unable to band.
2001	Both birds back 3/1. Raised 4 young, all females – unable to band.
2002	Both birds back 2/20. Raised 3 young ,2 males, 1 female – banded 4/30/02.
2003	Bandit returns 2/19. Windsong returns mid-March
2004	Four chicks hatched
2005	Three female chicks hatched - banded June '05.
2006	Four chicks hatched - 3 female, 1 male.
2007	Two chicks raised.