The official start of spring is still days away; however, a sign of spring has come from the rooftop of the Indiana Michigan Power Center (IMPC). Between Sunday night and early Monday morning, the first peregrine falcon egg was spotted on I&M’s FalconCam. According to Soarin’ Hawk Avian Rescue, the year’s first egg arrived days earlier than scheduled. The second egg is expected to be laid in the next couple days.
Egg number one is here. The second egg is anticipated in the next couple days for Moxie and Jamie.
Peregrine falcons lay 3 to 5 eggs in March and April with hatching occurring about 32 days later. Fort Wayne has seen at least two eggs each year since 1996, excluding 2008 – 2012. The chicks will take their first flight at about six weeks of age and receive care from their parents for an additional one to two months before leaving the area.
Since 1996, almost 70 peregrine falcon chicks have hatched on the roof of the former One Summit Square building, now IMPC – Fort Wayne’s tallest building. Moxie (female) and Jamie (male) have called the Fort Wayne skies their home since taking residence in the nest box in 2013. Tall buildings like these support falcons who have historically nested on ledges of tall cliffs and river bluffs for access to food and safety.
You can view the nest, eggs and proud parents by going to I&M’s live webcam: www.IndianaMichiganPower.com/FalconCam. This live feed offers a 24/7 view of the nest box and is a partnership between I&M, Soarin’ Hawk Avian Rescue and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.