Monitoring Peregrines at the Cobb Plant

Peregrine Falcons for more than a decade have used the smokestack and roof of Consumers Power's B.C. Cobb electrical generating plant at the east end of Muskegon Lake for raising at least 46 chicks.  However, the Cobb Plant is scheduled for demolition in 2017.  The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Consumers Power hope to persuade the falcons to move over to the relatively nearby Shoreline Inn hotel.

Several members of the Muskegon County Nature Club have volunteered to help monitor peregrine activity at the Cobb Plant this spring so that Cobb Plant employees can place protective materials at precise locations to dissuade the falcons from nesting there.  The nest boxes used in previous seasons are already on the roof of the Shoreline Inn in hopes the birds will use them.  Adult peregrines have already been seen eating prey on the hotel roof.

The Cobb Plant is a secured area and anyone monitoring these birds must follow the procedures established by Consumers Power.  Any bird-watcher who is not a member of our club but would be willing to volunteer some hours for this project, please contact me so I can put you on the mailing list.  Please note that Consumers will be requiring name, contact information, and photo I.D. of anyone participating in this monitoring.

- Ric