We Energies names new peregrine falcon chicks at Oak Creek Power Plant nest

OAK CREEK, Wis. (CBS 58) — It was a special morning at the We Energies Power Plant in Oak Creek, as their baby peregrine falcons were officially named and tagged.

The four peregrine falcon chicks hatched earlier this month, as the offspring of mom, Essity, and dad, Joel.

On Wednesday, We Energies falcon experts took the babies inside briefly to put two tags on them: a colored band on their left leg for identification, and a silver band on their right leg with a phone number so they can be tracked.

The four chicks are named after four of the first falcons in We Energies' peregrine program - Atlanta, Leopold, Scott, and Eclipse - as a nod to how special the program has been for the species in Wisconsin.

"It's rewarding. I mean, those falcons that they're named after really made their marks," said Greg Septon, the peregrine manager at We Energies. "They were very productive; they contributed greatly to the overall recovery of peregrines in Wisconsin."

Septon said one falcon can produce 40 children.

Since 1992, 461 peregrine falcons have hatched at We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service nest boxes, making up more than 20% of those in the state.

The goal of the program is to help the endangered species continue to grow and thrive.

We'll have a more in-depth look at the new babies and the tagging process on CBS 58 Sunday Morning June 1.