For over a decade, Fort Wayne’s skyline has been home to one of Indiana’s most successful peregrine falcon nesting sites. High atop the Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) building, a falcon named Moxie is once again at the center of attention, with her third egg expected to arrive any day now.

A History of Success

Moxie, along with her longtime mate Jamie, has been a fixture in downtown Fort Wayne for more than 12 years. In that time, the pair has hatched more than 30 chicks, contributing significantly to the state’s peregrine falcon population.

Last year, they welcomed four chicks—River, Storm, Tom, and Cindy—who took flight after weeks of development in the I&M nesting box. This year’s breeding season appears to be progressing similarly, with Moxie laying her first egg last Tuesday and a second over the weekend.

Will More Eggs Arrive?

Mary Kohler, a longtime volunteer monitoring the falcons, is optimistic that Moxie will lay additional eggs. However, she cautions that not all may be viable.

• Falcons typically lay 3-5 eggs per season.
• Eggs are laid 48-72 hours apart.
• Incubation usually begins after the third or fourth egg.

With the third egg expected soon, all eyes remain on the nesting site via I&M’s livestream, which provides a rare glimpse into the lives of these urban raptors.

From Endangered to Thriving

Peregrine falcons were once on the brink of extinction in the U.S., largely due to pesticide use. Thanks to extensive conservation efforts, including those in Indiana, they were removed from the Endangered Species Act in 1999.

Between 1991 and 1994, the Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife released 60 young peregrine falcons across cities including Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, South Bend, and Evansville. Since then, Fort Wayne has remained a key location for peregrine restoration, with nearly 70 chicks hatched in the I&M nesting box since 1996.

Collaboration for Conservation

The I&M falcon program is a joint effort between several organizations:

• Soarin’ Hawk Raptor Rehabilitation Center
• Indiana Audubon Society
• Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Each year, these groups work together to band and name new chicks, ensuring that the falcon population remains healthy and monitored. The I&M nesting site’s strategic location provides the birds with a cliff-like environment, free from natural predators and offering easy access to food and water.

With Moxie’s third egg on the horizon, Fort Wayne’s falcon watchers are eagerly anticipating another successful season in the sky.