New batch of chicks hatched at courthouse

By Rachel McCormick

Thursday, June 2, 2005 2:04 AM CDT

RACINE - Dennis, Greg and Wayne screeched loudly and squirmed as they were introduced to a group of people Wednesday at the Racine County Courthouse.

"They're cute and cool," said 6-year-old Shannon Campion.

The three male peregrine falcons that are cotton ball fluffy, white, gray and black were born on May 8, making them approximately 3 weeks old, said Wayne Johnson, program manager.

The baby falcons were brought from the courthouse roof to be branded, which makes sure that wherever they travel someone will be able to tell they're from

Wisconsin.

The purple band around their foot is a federal fish and wildlife band issued by the government, and the black over green band identifies what state they are from, said Greg Septon, president of the Wisconsin Peregrine Trust.

When the caretakers went up to the roof to get the babies, brooms had to be held over their heads to keep the mom and dad falcons, who are brown, white and yellow, from attacking them.

The falcon program started in 1992 after then-County Executive Dennis Kornwolf spotted a falcon on a ledge at the building. Kornwolf called Wayne Johnson, another employee, and the falcon project has been at the courthouse ever since, Kornwolf said.

It wasn't until 2003 that the first falcon was born at the courthouse. Johnson said numbers continue to increase.

"In 2004, there were two born. The numbers of babies keep increasing," Johnson said.

There are only 20 pairs - a male and female couple - of falcons in the state, Septon said.

"This is the only pair in Racine," Septon said. "I come throughout spring and check to see when the eggs are laid."

The falcons live on the roof of the court house in a cage but are free to come and go as they please. The female falcon is from Iowa, Johnson said.

It's hard to say how long the new falcons will stick around but it's usually about four weeks, Septon added.

About 30 people showed up Wednesday to watch the third annual branding of the falcons on the 10th floor at the courthouse. Campion comes to see the falcons every year with her mom and

sister.

"It's fun to watch. Sometimes I think the birds get scared because people try to hold to them," Campion said.

Alex Thompson, 5, was concerned after the falcons went back home because they left some feathers behind.

"I found a feather and I tried to give it back to them," Thompson said. "Can you give it to their mom for me," Thompson asked a reporter.

It was the first year Thompson had seen the falcons and he was so excited that he wanted them for pets.

"I want to take them all home and keep them in a cage," Thompson said.

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