FORT WAYNE, Ind. – High above Fort Wayne rests a sure sign of spring: The peregrine falcon nest on the roof of the city’s tallest building has new additions.
Two eggs were recently viewed in the nest atop Indiana Michigan Power Center via I&M’s Falcon Cam at www.IndianaMichiganPower.com/FalconCam
The identity of the parents has yet to be confirmed by a reading of the ID bands on their legs, but they are presumed to be Jamie (male) and Moxie (female). If so, the eggs bring to at least 25 the number Jamie and Moxie have laid since taking up residence on the downtown landmark in 2013.
I&M’s Falcon Cam is a popular attraction for birders, falcon fans and ornithology aficionados. In the busiest months when the falcon chicks are active, I&M records more than 10,000 page views. The Falcon Cam is the result of a partnership between Indiana Michigan Power, Soarin’ Hawk Avian Rescue and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Indiana Michigan Power Center (previously known as One Summit Square) has been an important element in the restoration of peregrine falcons that began nearly 30 years ago by the Indiana DNR. A nesting box built in 1996 has been the place nearly 60 falcon chicks have hatched, making it one of the more productive sites in the Midwest for the falcon restoration.
The falcon eggs generally hatch about a month after eggs are laid, and the young birds take their first flights at about six weeks of age.
Once the falcons reach an appropriate age, I&M will work with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to name and band each falcon.
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Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its 2,370 employees serve more than 597,000 customers. More than half of its generation is emission-free, including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, 22 MW of hydro generation in both states and approximately 15 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states. The company’s generation portfolio also includes 2,600 MW of coal-fueled generation in Indiana.
American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions to our customers. AEP’s more than 17,000 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 219,000 miles of distribution lines to efficiently deliver safe, reliable power to nearly 5.4 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 32,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including 4,300 megawatts of renewable energy. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). AEP also owns AEP Energy, AEP Energy Partners, AEP OnSite Partners and AEP Renewables, which provide innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide.
MEDIA CONTACT
Tracy Warner
Indiana Michigan Power Communications
(260) 479-9484
tkwarner@aep.com