One Peregrine Falcon banded and two rehomed
Peregrine Falcons have returned to the top of the Old Macomb County Building in downtown Mount Clemens. Four eggs were been spotted, two were hatched and one chick has survived. On May 23, 2024, Executive Hackel named the chick "Gabe," in honor of Gabe Anton, a cherished figure in Mount Clemens and the surrounding community. Among his many contributions and achievements, Anton was at the forefront of the Art in Public Places artwork project, and led the campaign to expand the historic Carnegie Library, now Anton Art Center.
On May 26, officials successfully rehomed two baby Peregrine Falcons whose previous nest was located in a dangerous location at the Detroit Metro Airport. One male falcon and one female falcon were added to the existing nest of Brookie Cookie, the mother, and her offspring, Gabe. Hackel named the chicks Dorothy and Bonner, in honor of Dorothy and Bonner Upshaw.
Dorothy Upshaw was an employee at TACOM for 41 years. She was a community leader and attended many community meetings. Her memberships include the NCNW (National Council of Negro Women), Macomb County Library Board, Macomb County Services Board, OYAA (Old and Young Alumni Association) and Turner CME Church, where she served as Trustee Emeritus. She died February 18, 2017.
Bonner C. Upshaw Jr. was born July 1, 1932 in Mount Clemens. He graduated from Mount Clemens High School in 1951 and attended Wayne State University and Macomb Community College. Bonner was the first African American Mount Clemens police officer, retiring as a detective after 25 years. He was also a past president of the NAACP. He died November 29, 2000.
Past photos of our Macomb Falcons
Q/A: Macomb County's Peregrine Falcons
Here's a breakdown via the Michigan Audubon Society:
- With a wingspan of 41 inches and about the size of a crow, the peregrine is a relatively large falcon.
- Females are larger than males; both have a blue-grey back, barred white underparts, and an almost black head. Juveniles are heavily marked, with vertical streaks instead of horizontal bars on the breast.
- The barring of the peregrine feather pattern makes for visual similarities to Merlins.
Yes. Peregrine Falcons have nested atop Macomb County buildings for many years. Since 2005, these birds have chosen the rocky perches of County office buildings to lay their eggs and raise their hatchlings. Some years have been successful, while others have not. Nature determines the outcome.
It's simple. They're a stunning specimen. But there are other reasons, according to the Michigan Audubon Society:
"In Michigan, the Peregrine Falcon remains on the state endangered species list, which affords them additional legal protections beyond the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Peregrine Falcon is not, at present, a federally listed endangered species, and its global rank is considered secure.
A big push was made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reestablish the Peregrine Falcon population in Michigan after it was listed on the state’s endangered species list, and the agency continues to monitor this bird of prey statewide.
Surveying for peregrines involves visually scanning for individuals during the daytime from the fourth week of March to the fourth week of August annually. For birders, the best way to contribute to monitoring is to participate in local and regional migration counts and breeding bird surveys, and to enter their sightings into eBird. In addition to increased monitoring efforts, which have been largely collaborative in nature with other groups and individuals like citizen scientists, Audubon chapters, and other nonprofit organizations, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources also established (and reached) their goal to maintain a population of at least 10 nesting pairs of Peregrine Falcons in Michigan.
With this goal met, monitoring continues, as does the outreach and education efforts required to better share with people how they can help us better understand, appreciate, and conserve the Peregrine Falcon."
Other Macomb County Peregrines
Interested in other nesting pairs? Current residents Fred and Wilma can be found on the campus of General Motors in Warren, Michigan. The Warren Peregrine Falcons maintain a year-round presence on EarthCam
Additionally, Peregrine Falcons of Southeast Michigan maintains an active profile on Facebook.