Mar 9, 2018
Tune in this season to ‘Falcons at Mill Creek’
New live HD webcam provides clear close-ups of nesting peregrine falcons
(LOUISVILLE, Ky.) – Advanced HD video capabilities now give peregrine falcon followers a clear, crisp viewing experience while tuning into the live webcam installed inside the nest box at Louisville Gas and Electric Company’s Mill Creek Generating Station.
A female falcon, named Diana, has been nesting with her male companions at Mill Creek since 2006. Each year, she’s returned to the nest box from March through May and raised anywhere from three to five young falcons over the course of each season. The 2018 nesting season’s in full swing with Diana laying two eggs in the nest box this week.
“Web cameras are an excellent way for people to learn about and observe wildlife without the risk of disturbing them,” said Loren Taylor, avian biologist with Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “This is especially important when it comes to peregrine falcons, as they are still considered a rare species in Kentucky.”
LG&E and KDFWR launched the state’s first webcam inside this same nest box in 2013. Since then, Diana’s won the hearts and attention of more than 340,000 viewers.
According to Taylor, the new HD webcam with a higher resolution “has the potential to allow biologists to identify individual falcons by the unique characteristics of their facial plumage (feathers) in future years.”
About the nest box
The nest box was installed at Mill Creek about 11 years ago. In addition to the Mill Creek location, KDFWR has placed nest boxes at many sites throughout Kentucky, including other generating stations at LG&E and its sister company, Kentucky Utilities Company.
For more than 20 years, LG&E and KU employees have ensured the nest boxes at the company's power plants provide a safe setting for peregrine falcons to prosper. More than 100 falcons have hatched from these nest boxes.
Power plant crevices and alcoves remind the falcons of natural nesting locations, such as mountain cliffs and ledges, and provide ample food supply.
Visit lge-ku.com/falcon to preview the new camera’s capabilities and watch this year’s nesting season.
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Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company, part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies, are regulated utilities that serve nearly 1.3 million customers and have consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. LG&E serves 324,000 natural gas and 407,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties. KU serves 549,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia. More information is available at www.lge-ku.com and www.pplweb.com.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is located in Frankfort and is an agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet. KDFWR conserves and enhances fish and wildlife resources and provides opportunity for hunting, fishing, trapping, boating and other wildlife-related activities. Its nine-member commission is nominated by Kentucky sportsmen and sportswomen and appointed by the governor. KDFWR works with landowners, hunters, anglers, boaters and wildlife enthusiasts statewide. More information is available at www.kdfwr.state.ky.us.
For further information: For more information, call the LG&E and KU media hotline at 502–627–4999.
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