Wisconsin

Peregrine falcon nesting program helped fuel raptors’ return to Wisconsin

Published

2 years ago

June 21, 2022

Peregrine falcon nesting program helped fuel raptors’ return to Wisconsin

When Greg Septon began working with peregrine falcons, there have been none in Wisconsin. The widespread use of the pesticide DDT had worn out the inhabitants.

“Peregrines had been gone east of the Mississippi River,” Septon stated.

Thirty years in the past, Septon started work with We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service, creating nesting bins excessive atop Wisconsin energy vegetation and putting younger birds that had been born in captivity into them, to see if they may make a go of it. It labored, and over time this system has expanded to 4 energy vegetation and quite a few different websites throughout the state, together with bridges and skyscrapers.

On Monday, Septon utilized leg-bands to the 2 newest successes of the mission. The peregrine chicks Dream and Scrunchie hatched about three weeks in the past within the nest on the prime of the Weston Energy Plant. They’re nonetheless lined in grey down, however they’re sufficiently old to be vocally offended about having been taken from the nest. For the 5 minutes or so it took Septon to use their bands, they made a ruckus. The bands will assist researchers observe their actions and measure the success of the nesting program.

In coming weeks, Dream and Scrunchie will go away the nest and set out on their very own. Hopefully, they’re going to discover their very own perch on a excessive cliff someplace. The once-endangered species right this moment has a reasonably secure inhabitants in Wisconsin of about 40 nesting pairs.

Regardless of the expansion of the peregrine falcon inhabitants, Septon stated the raptors nonetheless want greater than slightly assist from human-maintained websites just like the one on the Weston Energy Plant.

“Till we have got on this state at the very least a few dozen birds nesting efficiently on cliffs once more like they did traditionally, the lion’s share of birds in Wisconsin are nonetheless coming from city websites,” Septon stated.

Earlier than the pandemic, the annual banding of the falcon chicks was a neighborhood occasion with an viewers of WPS staff. Up to now, the utility has introduced in class teams as nicely. Extra lately, pandemic precautions have restricted in-person viewings, however this yr, WPS held a web-based vote for the chicks’ names, on the theme “1992.”

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The peregrine falcon is the quickest animal on earth. Its most well-liked searching mode is to circle excessive above prey like blue jays and pigeons, then dive-bomb them at speeds as much as 200 mph. The smaller birds most likely by no means know what hit them.

To remain secure from their pure predators similar to eagles or nice horned owls, the raptors desire to construct their nests extraordinarily excessive up.

Mike Grisar is environmental staff chief for the utility firm. He stated the corporate’s falcon webcams draw an viewers yearly, permitting viewers on the web to drop in on the progress of nesting websites at 4 Wisconsin energy vegetation. They plan to proceed this system for so long as the raptors require.

“If it weren’t for these artifical constructions, there wouldn’t be a sustainable inhabitants” of peregrine falcons, Grisar stated. “I see us being concerned for so long as that is wanted.”

Septon stated the banding has allowed scientists to be taught extra about simply how far peregrine falcons migrate. One chook from Wisconsin was discovered wintering in Venezuela. And he stated increasingly more nesting pairs are discovering spots in Wisconsin’s pure panorama. There are pairs on the Wisconsin River and at Satan’s Lake, on Washington Island in Door County and extra.

“Peregrines have tailored to nesting on human constructions like the ability plant right here,” Septon stated. “However they’re additionally coming again to their historic websites on the Mississippi River cliffs.”

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Wisconsin

Golfers raise money for Wisconsin Veterans Home

Published

12 hours ago

June 14, 2024

Press Room

Golfers raise money for Wisconsin Veterans Home

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (WEAU) – An annual event helping raise money for veterans is back in Chippewa Falls.

The 6th Annual Wisconsin Veterans Home Golf Outing teed off this morning.

The event is hosted by Brew Pub Lotzza Motzza Pizza and the Lake Hallie Golf Course.

Matt Selvig, Advertising and Promotions Manager with Brew Pub, said over the last five years the outing has raised over $51,000 for area veterans.

He said this year the community is coming together more than ever before, with around 20 teams participating for a good cause.

“It’s going to a great cause to help out veterans and really give them the opportunity to do things above and beyond what they normally do, whether it’s go to a baseball game or music in the park or go fishing, so it’s for a great cause,” said Selvig.

Money raised will go to the Chippewa Valls Veterans Home.

This year’s event also featured guest speaker, Kyle Nyseth.

Nyseth is a combat veteran of three wars with 22 years of service in the United States Navy

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Wisconsin

Ziebell, Jirschele named athletes of the year at Northeast Wisconsin High School Sports Awards

Published

19 hours ago

June 14, 2024

Press Room

Ziebell, Jirschele named athletes of the year at Northeast Wisconsin High School Sports Awards

Neenah basketball star Allie Ziebell was honored as the girls athlete of the year and football, basketball and baseball standout Keagen Jirschele was honored as the boys athlete of the year during Thursday’s Northeast Wisconsin High School Sports Awards show.

The event, presented by Festival Foods, was held at the Lambeau Field Atrium in Green Bay.

In all, 34 awards were handed out at the show, which honored athletes, coaches and teams from the entire region. The boys and girls athlete of the Year Awards were sponsored by Cellcom.

Ziebell concluded one of the most decorated high school basketball careers in state history.

A generational talent, Ziebell led the Rockets to the WIAA Division 1 state championship game, was voted the Associated Press state player of the year and also named the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Ms. Basketball winner.

She was also named the Gatorade Wisconsin player of the year for the second year in a row and was selected to play in the McDonald’s All-American game. She was also a member of the Team USA U19 national team that captured the FIBA Women’s World Cup title last summer.

Ziebell finished her high school career fourth overall in state history in points scored with 2,819 and will play basketball in college at the University of Connecticut for legendary coach Geno Auriemma.

More: Find complete prep sports coverage on our Varsity page

Jirschele, a senior from Mosinee, is a three-sport standout in football, basketball and baseball. He was a Wisconsin Football Coaches Association all-state selection on offense and defense and was also voted the offensive and defensive player of the year in the Great Northern Conference.

In basketball, Jirschele was unanimous first-team all-conference and honorable mention all-state after leading Mosinee to the conference championship. And this spring, he was named the Great Northern Conference player of the year in baseball on the No. 1 ranked team in the state in Division 2. He will play baseball in college at South Dakota State.

The Northeast Wisconsin High School Sports Awards show is part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards, the largest high school sports recognition program in the country. The show was produced with the support of Prevea Health, USA Today Sports and Golfweek.

The show recognized prep athletes, coaches and teams in the Appleton, Fond du Lac, Green Bay, Manitowoc, Marshfield, Oshkosh, Sheboygan, Stevens Point, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids markets for their achievements during the 2023-24 school year.

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Wisconsin

New Mexico linebacker Mason Posa makes it official: He commits to Wisconsin’s 2025 class

Published

1 day ago

June 14, 2024

Press Room

New Mexico linebacker Mason Posa makes it official: He commits to Wisconsin’s 2025 class

MADISON – Mason Posa’s official visit to Wisconsin, which began on May 31, went better than anyone could have expected.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound linebacker from Albuquerque, New Mexico, left Madison almost certain he would choose UW.

Posa made his decision official Thursday when he announced he had committed to UW for the 2025 class.

His other two choices were Oregon and Texas A&M.

The Aggies were originally scheduled to host Posa on a visit later this month.

“The coaches, I knew they were great,” Posa said on 247’s YouTube channel after making his announcement. “I knew the town was amazing. But what I was looking for on these officials visits was which players I felt comfortable with.

“And Wisconsin just fit me. Those players were great to me. I had a blast out there. I knew Wisconsin was home.”

Posa recorded seven sacks, 14 tackles for loss and 99 total tackles as a junior.

Including Posa, UW has 18 known commitments for the 2025 class.

That includes four linebackers for defensive coordinator Mike Tressel – Posa, Cooper Catalano of Germantown High School, Brenden Anes of Tennessee and Samuel Lateju of New Jersey.

What does Posa believe he will bring to UW?

“I’m ready to go win them championships,” he said. “I’m ready to bring a national title to the University of Wisconsin. I’m excited. I love Madison. I love that coaching staff…

“I want to be a first-round pick. I want to be in the NFL and I want to win us a national title. I know some of the recruits we have…there is something special coming at Wisconsin.”

More: Wisconsin football transfer portal tracker: Who’s heading out and who’s heading in?

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