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At the Creek - PPL Martins Creek
From peregrine falcons to ospreys and other species, Martins Creek is home to a diverse collection of wildlife and demonstrates that industry and nature can coexist in harmony. We care about being good stewards of the environment, and we're proud that we can provide a habitat that supports the falcon's restoration.
The Martins Creek nesting box is attached to an enclosure that encircles the Unit 4 power plant stack and houses continuous emissions monitoring equipment for the power plant. Jack Hahn, a journeyman-electrician, and John DePalma, an instrument and control technician, monitor the box regularly and keep
a log of the falcons' activity.
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June 3, 2011
Physicals and jewelry 350'
The weather was perfect to check out the four young falcons at PPL's Martins Creek power plant.
It has become an annual event to ascend the 350 feet up the plant's emissions stack to meet the new falcons. Only a few plant personnel, along with Pennsylvania Game Commission biologists and officers, have been able to experience this high-flying adventure.
The chicks were removed from the nest for a very short period of time to minimize any stress to the eyasses and their parents. The birds were weighed, checked for their overall health and given identification bands, which help the Pennsylvania Game Commission keep track of their movements and locations throughout the year. The four eyasses were estimated to be between 26 days to 30 days old.
With this 2011 clutch, the Martins Creek nest has now produced 21 peregrines. We believe they are all from the same two parents.
Thanks to PPL and everyone involved with the care and the protection of the peregrine falcons and our environment.
- Jack Hahn, John Depalma, Scott Hahn, Mike Wismer
For more photos, check out http://flic.kr/s/aHsjvaDfrJ
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05/11/2011
Lots of Fuzz at the Creek
It's difficult to see in this pile of white fuzz, but all of the eggs hatched.
The four eyasses look healthy so far and are eating well.
While we were there, the father did a high speed fly-by to make sure everything was good near the nest. He then placed himself on one of his favorite perches on the ladder of the opposite stack, with a great view to watch for any unwanted visitors.
Soon, Art McNorris of the Pennsylvania Game Commission will be here to inspect and band the chicks. This helps us track the peregrine falcon population.
Jack, John & Scott |
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4/8/2011
Peregrine Eggs at the Creek: Laying Em' Down
We have four eggs again on the No. 4 stack here at Martins Creek. Mother Nature sure knows how to make good things happen.
With some changes in procedures here at Martins Creek, we don't get up to the nest as often as we like to so it takes a little bit of luck to try and track the days the eggs were laid.
On April 4, there were three eggs, and today, April 8 there are 4. It is important for the Pennsylvania Game Commission biologist and assistants to have an approximate date so they can plan the banding of the young chicks.
We didn't see bands on the legs of the mother, and she reacts the same way to us as in past years. She's very calm when we are just outside the nesting box so we guess it is "Jo."
The father is usually nearby, but we haven't been able to check him for leg bands. He also reacts the same way to us as in past years, so we can only assume it is "Ja."
That's Mother Nature…
Jack
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4/13/2010
Nesting confirmed
Once again the PPL Martins Creek power plant has nesting peregrines. While checking the nest box located on the Unit 4 stack on April 6 we discovered two eggs. When we checked again on April 12, there was a total of four eggs.
The female is unbanded, but we are pretty sure that she is "Jo," the same female as in the past. We are still unsure if the male peregrine is the same as in the past, the falcon we call "Ja."
Yesterday afternoon we spotted the two peregrines chasing off a third falcon that came into the area.
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3/2/2010
Spring Awakening
We've spotted two peregrines at the plant. Since we have not been able to check for the absence of leg bands yet, we can only assume that they are our regular mating pair. So far they are moving about in the same manner as Ja and Jo.
We have been seeing the male throughout the winter again, and the first sighting Jo, the female, was on February 22. This is a little earlier than her usual return date.
Thanks to everyone involved with peregrines and all wildlife. We are looking forward to hearing of other sightings from around the company and area.
It's good to see them return. |
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06/11/2009
Banding together
It was an exciting day at Martins Creek. We banded the peregrine falcon chicks. Banding is important because it helps us keep track of their migration patterns and population. The Pennsylvania Game Commission weighs the birds, determines their sex and makes sure they are healthy before fitting them with identification bands. Their feathers may get a little ruffled but the bands don't hurt. This is the fifth year that the pair of peregrines nesting at PPL's Martins Creek power plant have had chicks. It's a great success story and living proof that nature and industry can coexist.
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05/20/2009
Three hellos and one goodbye
In the first photo, you can see the fourth chick trying to make its way out of its shell. It looked promising when we walked away from the nest.
The next picture, taken on Wednesday, May 20, shows the three surviving chicks are doing well. Unfortunately the fourth chick did not survive.
So the final count of young peregrines is three. We know from past years that having four eggs doesn't always mean there will be four chicks.
We also were able to get a cool picture of both the mother and father on the perch. It's rare for us to get a photograph of both of them on the perch at the same time.
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05/13/2009
Two out, two to go
The mother peregrine was more than happy to show off two new members of her family. The leftover shells are gone fast. One was born yesterday, and the wet eyas was born this morning. |
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04/13/2009
Make it four
John and I checked out the nest today and were greeted by Jo, the mother falcon, sitting on four eggs.
We receive word that the third egg was there Friday, so the last egg was laid sometime over the weekend just in time for Easter. They even come with a nice brown/red spotted color.
The mother was very calm with us while we were talking and peering into the box as if we were invited to check out her clutch of eggs.
Now, it's a waiting game for the next several weeks to see how many of the eggs hatch. We know from past years, that the mother and father know how to raise and take very good care of them. It's a nature thing.
We are hoping for success at the other nesting sights in the system and in the area.
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04/07/09
Producing peregrines
We were just up the No. 4 stack and found two eggs. The father flew in for a few seconds and then flew off. The mother was not in sight, but could have been off for a little hunting. There was no bands on the legs, so there is a good chance that it is "Ja" from past years.
We had 4 eggs by April 7th, 2008 (last year), so we'll be checking often to see if more are on the way.
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03/18/2009
That time of year
We all get a little itchy this time of year, waiting to see both peregrines return and looking forward to another healthy brood. (Hopefully.)
We've been seeing two peregrines at the plant. Since we have not been able to check for the absence of leg bands yet, we can only assume that they are our regular pair. So far they are moving about in the same manner as Ja and Jo (the plant's past pair of falcons).
It looks like the various ongoing plant projects are not having an impact on the peregrines, even with Units 1 and 2 being torn down. Guess we'll see what happens soon.
As usual, we are getting our share of "Rain of Feathers." It's common to be showered with feathers while walking past the stacks as the peregrines above are plucking their catch.
We are looking forward to hearing of other reports from around the company and area.
Thanks to all of you involved with Peregrines and all wildlife. You do a great service for something well worth protecting.
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06/25/2008
Venturing out
First, the good news: We got lucky today and were able to see all five peregrines at the Creek. Mom and Dad were a little restless with us nearby but calmed down after a few fly-bys. They always know where the kids are, and are helping them out with meals now and then, along with teaching them how to catch their own food. Cool.
Unfortunately, we lost one of the young female falcons last week. We're not sure at this point, but it is possible that it was weakened by the harsh thunderstorm and heavy rain that came through the area that evening. It had just left the nest and was on a metal roof most of that day. The Pennsylvania Game Commission has taken the bird and will try to determine the cause of death. |
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06/18/2008
Getting closer
This morning we were able to see five falcons from the ground. Mom and Dad were on guard duty and sensitive to any movement even remotely close to the young falcons today. Rightfully so, two of the young were on the beam adjacent to the nest, and one was still on the perch.
We've been keeping a look out for the fourth sibling, but have yet to find it. The parents only hang around the nest area and within site from the No. 3 stack as usual, so we're hoping that the four young falcons are all still in the area of the nest and that we just can't see the missing one.
We'll check out the area on the ground below the stack and keep our fingers crossed. The picture isn't the best because we're keeping our distance so we don't scare the young before they're ready to go off the beam.
Keep it high, keep it fast.
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06/16/2008
A small world
Last Friday I accompanied the Pennsylvania Game Commission officials to the Luzerne County cliff site for the banding of the nestlings. Unlike the other PPL peregrine nest sites, monitoring at this site is a lot more difficult. Because the nest is located about halfway down the cliff, the best you can do is monitor this site from several hundred yards away using a good spotting scope. As a result, the exact age of these young falcons was not known, making the correct timing of banding a little more challenging. As if having to repel down a cliff wasn't challenging enough.
The plan was for Art McMorris, PGC Peregrine Falcon Coordinator, to accompany Greg Turner, PGC Endangered Species Biologist and Technical Climber, down to the nest site and band the eyases right there. As they cautiously approached the nest the adult falcons started screaming and flying overhead. The good news was that these parents were not nearly as aggressive or defensive of their nest site as our friends here in Allentown. They kept a safe distance from both Greg and Art. A closer inspection of the nest confirmed that there were three eyases. Unfortunately, as Greg approached the nest one nestling rushed to the far edge of the ledge. Greg immediately backed away. Based on the actual age of the eyases and the precarious reaction of the one daring eyas, the plan to band them was quickly abandoned. Despite the disappointment, we are still very hopeful that in the upcoming weeks we will see three young peregrines testing out their wings in the skies above the Luzerne County cliffs.
And if all this isn't exciting enough, as I was looking through my pictures, I noticed I was able to see some bands on the male peregrine from the cliff site. Sure enough, the male at the cliff site was a male that fledged at our Martins Creek nest site in 2006. This isn't the first time he's been seen this year. "Blue Boy" (see in the photo at left) was spotted at a nest this spring at a nest site in Wilkes-Barre. That is until "Idaho Green" returned to defend his nest and sent him back down the river.
Meanwhile at Martins Creek, the four young falcons were seen lined up on the outside edge of their nest box. They looked as if they were trying to decide who would jump first. It shouldn't be long before they are seen flying over and around the plant.
And we just received word today from Don "Jake" Jacobs from WNEP-Channel 16 that the peregrine falcon edition of Pennsylvania Outdoor Life will air at 6:30 p.m. this Sunday, June 22. Stay tuned!
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06/03/2008
Getting their bling
On Tuesday, we banded the chicks at Martins Creek. One male and three females were successfully banded and returned to the nest box. Mom was a little uneasy about what was going on with her little ones. Keep watch for the peregrines in the news. The Express-Times was there and WNEP TV filmed the banding as part of their Pennsylvania Outdoors program.
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05/16/2008
Family portraits
I'm so glad we finally got all four eggs hatching this year. What an awesome year for peregrines at PPL. Here are some photos of the Martins Creek peregrine family: Dad at the end of the nest box, Mom after a messy feeding and several shots of the eyas.
 
 
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05/12/2008
Four times the celebrating
A trip up the stack today proved worthwhile for John Depalma, Scott Hahn and myself. With the cold, wet weather and a strong wind, the mother only gave us a few seconds to see Martins Creek finally has four young hatchlings. This is the first year at Martins Creek that all of the eggs successfully hatched. Boy or girl? Guess we'll find out at the banding on June 3. |
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05/07/2008
The first hatchling is here
Martins Creek welcomes its first young peregrine of 2008. The young falcon spent all of Tuesday trying its best to break through its tough shell. We were able to see it moving inside of the egg through the small hole, then it would stop to rest. This went on for hours. It's a lot of work trying to get out of that shell after being stuck in it for more than a month.
Finally, Wednesday morning, it was able to break out and check out it's new world. John Depalma and Scott Hahn got to witness it first hand!
Three more eggs to go, lets cross our fingers. The mother falcon looked great during the ordeal, but dad looks a little on the rough side. PPL Martins Creek power plant has been fortunate to have peregrine falcon hatchlings four years in a row. All of this has taken place in the same nest on the Unit 4 stack.
At this time, plans are to band the young falcons on June 3. |
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04/24/2008
Sitting tight
We were up at the nest yesterday just to make sure the parents and the four eggs were doing well. Everyone looked great! I suspect the Martins Creek eggs should be hatching around the beginning of May. |
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03/31/2008
The first egg is here!
PPL's Martins Creek power plant has its first egg for 2008. We visited the nest today and found the female sitting on one egg. There were no bands on her legs, so it's probably "Ja", the same female from the past 3 years. We'll keep you updated as things progress with a final count on eggs. |
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02/28/2008
Early preparations for banding
This shows the new removable barrier installed at the nest on Martins Creek's No. 4 stack. We had to wait until both falcons left the nest to install the barrier, which will be used to secure the nest when the Pennsylvania Game Commission does bandings. |
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02/25/2008
Jo and Ja
Employees working on the No. 4 stack today spotted two falcons on the perch and in the nest! Neither of them had bands on, so it looks like Jo and Ja are back at the Creek! One of the Peregrines was moving the stones around and the other flew off of the perch and onto the No. 3 stack. This picture of Jo was taken last summer. |
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02/13/2008
The first falcon is spotted
We have found over the years that the peregrines, as with many other animals, are fairly predictable with some of their habits. At the plant, we usually see the first peregrine arrive in February, and the last to leave in late fall.
A lone falcon was seen at the nest today making itself heard from a good distance. We are not sure if it is the falcon that has been hanging around all winter, or if it is one of the original parents returning from migration.
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02/01/2008
Gearing up for another season
It's that time of year again when Mother Nature starts shifting gears and many of us are craving the change from the dormant winter. Once again Martins Creek is looking forward to following the return of the peregrines and the start of another family if all goes well. This picture shows the young falcons at the end of the fledgling season last year. |
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05/13/2008
Lucky 13
Something about the number 13 just seems to be lucky for our Lehigh Valley peregrines. After 13 years, on the 13th day of May we have our first eyas peregrine in Allentown!
I was up and on the road early this morning because I wanted to be here at sunrise to see what was happening. It wasn't long before I saw a little fluff of down under Mom. I could also hear the faint peeps of a little one and couldn't wait for her to move around so I could get a better view. Within a few minutes she's graciously obliged. She's a lot more active and vocal now that there is a little one in the nest. As she stood up I could clearly see one eyas and three eggs, two of which have also begun to hatch. After Mom fed a little, she flew off with the leftovers and Dad quickly came in to take a look at his new family. We'll be keeping a watchful eye to see when the others are finally able to break free of the confines of their shells.
All four peregrine chicks at our Montour plant continue to do well. We will be banding them tomorrow with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Yesterday Martins Creek confirmed that their fourth egg has hatched. Nine eyas peregrines and counting, and that doesn't include those on our cliff site.
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04/11/2008
Four-egg Friday!
I was out of the office yesterday, as was Bob, my back up for checking on our friends and their growing family on the 23rd floor. Needless to say, I was quite anxious this morning to find out if there was any additional good news. Mom was comfortably asleep on the eggs, and it didn't look like she had any intentions of moving any time soon so I went back down to my office. Shortly after I returned from my meeting a co-worker reported he received an e-mail from our friends on the 21st floor that the falcons were flying around. So off I went, back up the stairs to 23! Dad was in the nest standing next to four eggs! You have to love a four-egg Friday! Okay, so I'm not exactly certain the fourth egg did indeed arrive today, but it sure sounds a lot better than a "four-egg sometime between Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning."
I watched the male hanging out over the eggs for a few minutes. His occasional screeching made me wonder. As I looked around, sure enough, mom was perched on the parapet to the south of the nest. When I looked back, dad was gone. And then, just as quickly as he was gone, I heard the pair screeching. I looked back to the south and there they were … let's just say they were working on a fifth egg.
So as of today, the peregrines at PPL are up to a dozen eggs with four eggs each at Allentown, Martins Creek and Montour.
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04/08/2008
And now there are three!
With this morning's climb to the 23rd floor, I found mom sleeping on her eggs. She eventually awoke and shortly afterward started to screech. I knew dad must be around somewhere. Sure enough, within a minute or so he appeared. Mom got up from the nest site, revealing there are now three eggs! The male brought her breakfast, then came over to turn and incubate the eggs.
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04/04/2008
A second surprise
Saturday evening the female was seen incubating the nest. The male flew in around sunset and both flew off, likely for an evening meal. The male returned shortly before dark to continue incubating the single egg. Sunday evening I again observed the female on the nest. She was sleeping and did not appear to be in any hurry to give me a view of what was underneath her. When I returned a little later, the male had replaced the female. After a short while he stood up to stretch, revealing a second egg! I'm not sure if it was the pending sunset or hunger calling, but he eventually flew off. He returned a few minutes later, landing on the parapet to the south of the nest box.
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04/04/2008
13-year wait pays off!
Way back in 1995 an idea became reality as we began releasing young peregrine falcons from the PPL building in Allentown, a process known as hacking. One of the main goals of this effort was to have a pair of peregrines return to the Lehigh Valley to nest. I returned to the office this morning to find our first peregrine egg arrived this morning!
It's been a very long time since the Lehigh Valley has had one of these, likely more than 50 years ago! Thanks to all who have supported and shown interest in this project. There will be a lot more interesting things happening in the days and weeks to come.
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04/02/2008
Posing for the camera, high above the city of Allentown
When I checked the hack box this morning, the male was inside. At one point he looked to the southeast corner and started screeching. Sure enough the female was perched on a parapet just in view. Below her "breakfast" was laid out on the wall. He wandered around the hack box, working his way over to one of the depressions in the stones. He spent some time preening himself and chirping at the female. He kind of looked like an expectant father pacing around at times and looking at his mate. Eventually, the female flew off, quickly followed by the male. Later this morning I saw the male circling over the Plaza building. I then saw the female stoop off the tower down Hamilton Street, with the male quickly following in pursuit. They both went over some buildings on the northeast corner of Seventh and Hamilton streets. Then flying low between the buildings, they quickly made their way back up Linden Street to the Plaza Building, a few circles then back down Hamilton over some buildings and then out of site down around the Art Museum.
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03/05/2008
An old friend returns ...
Was just able to confirm the same female from last year is back in Allentown! She was sitting outside the nest box, same as she always did last year. I was able to catch a glimpse of the band. She flew off and sure enough, the male was at the hack box (no band). She is looking a little more mature this year. Still a little more tan/brown in her plumage than the male. Let's hope she's ready for a family this year. |
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