If you’ve been watching our live falcon camera on the Briess website, you’ve seen some exciting news – our falcon family is complete!
Each spring, I look forward to sharing this incredible story with customers, coworkers, and everyone following along as these remarkable birds continue their recovery journey, from their home atop the 11th floor of the Briess grain elevator. And what a journey it’s been.
Since December, I’ve been keeping an eye on our year-round live camera overlooking the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan (a stunning view, even before the falcons return). Our resident male falcon, officially banded and named “Bartell”, made occasional winter appearances, marking his 10th consecutive year returning for the 2027 season.
A Major Milestone: 100 Falcons!
As of May 5th, 2026, the hatching of our 4th falcon chick marked an incredible milestone for the Manitowoc grain elevator – 100 peregrine falcons born on-site since 1998! That’s 29 consecutive years of successful nesting, a record unmatched by any other site in Wisconsin.
What’s Next: Banding Day & Naming Contest
About three weeks after hatching, the chicks will be banded by Greg Septon, founder of the Wisconsin Peregrine Falcon Recovery Program. And that means it’s time for our annual…
Naming Contest
Now through May 18th, we welcome you to submit your names for the four eyasses on our Facebook page for all to see!
- To enter, comment on our Facebook Contest Post 1-4 names for the eyasses. Only one entry/post per person.
- Each winner will receive a coffee cup featuring a picture of the eyass they named, along with a bag of our special 150th Anniversary edition of Dark Chocolate Malted Milk Balls. If duplicate names are submitted, the earliest entry will be selected.
- Winners will be announced on banding day, Thursday, May 21, 2026. Good luck!
Ready for Takeoff
A few short weeks after banding, these young falcons will test their aviation skills from 244’ high and explore the skies and lakeshore of Manitowoc and beyond.
By late summer, they’ll be officially registered with the Midwest Peregrine Society under their new names, chosen by you! Some of the things that banding helps researchers track include:
- Distances they travel
- How long they live
- Who they mate with
- How many chicks they have
You’re also welcome to browse the database for the young you’d like to follow.
Keep Watching!
Once these little ones grow, the sibling rivalry entertainment begins, so the fun is just beginning!
Be sure to keep an eye on the live falcon camera as these tiny raptors grow (you’ll be amazed at the speed of growth) and prepare for life in the wild.