General

Falcon chick at North Omaha is thriving

After two years of losses, it appears that Lewis and Clark, the resident peregrine falcons at OPPD’s North Omaha Station, are on their way to successfully raising another chick. 

Clark laid four eggs this year. Two of the chicks that hatched died shortly afterward. One egg still has not hatched and is unlikely to do so at this point. 

But one chick has been an enthusiastic eater since it hatched, and it appears to be doing well so far. It has grown noticeably, and lately it’s been wobbling around the box a bit, exploring its home, stretching and flapping its wings a bit, and taking in the view. 

“I’m super excited that one chick made it this year,” said James Thiele, OPPD’s Wildlife and Natural Resources Program Manager. “That chick is getting fed very well and really appears to be thriving.”  

You can watch the chick’s progress on the falcons’ webcam. 

Clark surprised observers last year when she laid a second clutch after losing her first clutch of the year. Three of the chicks in the first clutch hatched but perished shortly afterward. One never hatched. 

Falcons typically lay a second clutch rather quickly if they lose a clutch early in incubation. But Clark laid her second clutch weeks later, which is unusual. Unfortunately, the eggs in the second clutch were not viable. 

In 2023, Clark’s four eggs hatched, but those chicks all died shortly afterward. 

Ospreys on the way

At Fort Calhoun Station, the resident ospreys should welcome new chicks soon if all goes well. Keep an eye on their webcam and you might get to witness the chicks hatching in early June.  

Last year, the ospreys had three eggs, but one never hatched. The two that did hatch, though, fledged successfully.  

“It looks like things are going well up there. I’m hopeful all three chicks will hatch and survive this year,” Thiele said. 

Other raptors

In addition to the two falcons that appear to be nesting at Nebraska City Station, two ospreys have been spotted in the osprey nest at North Omaha Station, which was new last year.   

Observers haven’t been able to tell whether those ospreys have eggs in their nest, Thiele said, but he and others will continue to monitor those ospreys and the Nebraska City falcons.