After a year, peregrine falcons are returning to the ORLEN Unipetrol Group's production facilities and occupying their traditional nesting sites on chimneys. The new season has started promisingly – the first egg has already appeared in the nesting box at the Litvínov facility. After a record year last year, during which twelve chicks were successfully raised, another season full of anticipation is beginning. The ORLEN Unipetrol Foundation, in cooperation with ornithologists from the ALKA Wildlife organisation, has prepared a total of five nesting boxes again this year. Those interested can now follow the new falcon stories via online cameras on the website starameseosokoly.cz.

With the arrival of spring, peregrine falcons return to their nesting boxes to begin their courtship and raise a new generation of these critically endangered birds of prey. "We are delighted that the falcons have returned to their traditional nesting sites. Last season was extremely successful, with a record twelve chicks raised. This proves that our long-term efforts to create suitable nesting conditions are paying off. We believe that this year's season will follow on from last year and bring more successfully raised young falcons," says Lucie Pražáková, director of the ORLEN Unipetrol Foundation, adding: "The nesting of peregrine falcons has been supported on the premises of the ORLEN Unipetrol Group since 2011. Since then, falcon pairs have successfully raised 70 chicks on the chimneys of the production facilities."

The mating season for falcon parents usually begins at the turn of February and March. Until then, the falcon pair lives at a normal pace, moving around their territory and not using their nest. The female then lays one to four eggs, which she incubates for approximately 30 days. After hatching, an intensive period of care begins – the parents take turns providing food and warming the young. After about three weeks, the young falcons are ringed, which allows their origin and population development to be monitored. They usually leave the nest in June, when they set out into the world on their own. After two to three years, they find their own territory where they can nest.

Last year's nesting season was historically the most successful at ORLEN Unipetrol's production sites. A total of twelve chicks hatched on the chimneys in Litvínov, Kralupy nad Vltavou and Paramo in Pardubice, four in each location. At the Litvínov refinery, the first clutch appeared in March and the chicks were ringed at the end of April. Nesting was equally successful in Kralupy and Paramo, where the nesting box has only been in place since 2023.

Industrial sites provide suitable conditions for falcons thanks to their stable and undisturbed environment and abundant food supply. Experts point out that falcons also use residual heat from operations and night lighting, which makes it easier for them to navigate and hunt. These factors contribute to higher nesting success compared to natural sites.