Birdie Blair, We Energies peregrine falcon chick, takes first flight

OAK CREEK, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Birdie Blair, a peregrine falcon chick named after gold medalist speedskater and Wisconsin resident Bonnie Blair, left the nest this week, according to a We Energies press release issued on Tuesday, June 18.

Birdie was born at the We Energies Oak Creek Power Plant.

It makes sense that Birdie was the first to take flight. However, "Fitz" and "Glider," respectively named after Olympic speedskaters Casey FitzRandolph and Brian Hansen, were not far behind.

The falcon chicks, born at We Energies power plants earlier this spring, will now learn to hunt and improve their flying skills before leaving the nest for good.

Other chicks born at the Port Washington Generating Station and Milwaukee’s Valley Power Plant are younger and will likely remain for a few more days, according to We Energies. Meanwhile, the chicks at Weston Power Plant just started to hatch last week.

We Energies recommends checking their live nest box cameras to keep up with the progress of the peregrines.