A pair of critically endangered peregrine falcons has been living in the production site of ORLEN Unipetrol for several years. This year, they gave birth to two chicks. It happened in front of the eyes of the spectators who watch the nesting on the 100-metre chimney of the heating plant on www.starameseosokoly.cz. ORLEN Unipetrol has been broadcasting the remarkable view into the falcon box live via an online camera for the third year. Together with the ALKA Wildlife association, they have been monitoring the falcons at the Group's production sites since 2011. So far, 42 chicks have hatched thanks to this project. There are only 130 pairs of peregrine falcons in the Czech Republic.
"At the Litvínov plant, the female laid eggs in March, which hatched into two chicks after a month of careful sitting. In May, we ring them when we visit the nest. The rings serve the birds as an ID card for us. We cannot distinguish falcons with the naked eye, but thanks to the rings, we can easily identify them," says ornithologist Václav Beran from the ALKA Wildlife Association.
"We have been taking care of the rare peregrine falcons at ORLEN Unipetrol since 2011. We have two nest boxes in Litvínov and Neratovice and one in Kralupy nad Vltavou. In addition to the two chicks in Litvínov, we expect another one in Kralupy. Those interested can follow the nesting online at www.starameseosokoly.cz," says
Katarzyna Woś, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of ORLEN Unipetrol Group, adding:
"So far, we have managed to raise a total of 42 chicks, which is a great contribution to the expansion of the falcon population in the Czech Republic."
"The falcon disappeared from the Czech landscape in the last century due to the excessive use of pesticides in agriculture. Today, thanks to strict protection, about 130 pairs live in our territory. In addition to rocks, they are also looking for industrial areas, which with their high chimneys provide them with a good view, peace and plenty of food," comments Václav Beran and continues: "Although the falcon has the migratory species name, but the falcon is widespread worldwide and some populations are migratory. That's why falcons from the north come to us for the winter, and even our falcons nesting in the mountains fly either to the lowlands or to the south.”
The nesting season of falcons, i.e., the period from courtship to the raising of the young, usually begins at the end of February and the beginning of March. Until then, the falcon pair lives at its usual pace. They move around in their territory, but do not use the nest. The female usually lays one to four eggs, on which she sits for about 30 days before the chicks hatch. With the hatching of the chicks, a veritable carousel of worries begins for the parents, as the offspring require regular care so that by June, they have the strength and knowledge to leave the nest.
The ORLEN Unipetrol Group is the largest refinery and petrochemical company in the Czech Republic. It focuses on crude oil processing and the production, distribution and sale of vehicle fuels and petrochemical products – particularly plastics and fertilisers. In all these areas, it belongs among the critical players in the Czech and Central European markets. The ORLEN Unipetrol Group encompasses refineries and production plants in Litvínov and Kralupy nad Vltavou, Paramo in Pardubice, Spolana Neratovice, and two research centres in Litvínov and Brno. ORLEN Unipetrol also includes a network of Benzina ORLEN filling stations in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. With 426 filling stations, Benzina ORLEN is the largest chain in the Czech Republic. ORLEN Unipetrol employs nearly 5,000 people. In 2005, ORLEN Unipetrol became a member of the ORLEN Group, the largest crude oil processor in Central Europe. In addition to its business development, ORLEN Unipetrol is proud to be a socially responsible corporation. Therefore, it pays an equal amount of attention to initiatives, focusing on the cultivation and support of sustainable development, education, local communities, and the environment.