4 peregrine falcon chicks born at a KGHM smelter

Peregrine falcons have been nesting in the KGHM division since 2009. The company's bird family has just grown: four chicks have hatched on a special nesting platform located on the chimney of the Głogów smelter.

Peregrine falcons, which are subject to strict protection, are some of the rarest birds in Poland. Thanks to favourable conditions and proximity to nature, the falcons have become firmly established in KGHM's divisions - including the Głogów smelter.

Peregrine falcons under the care of KGHM volunteers

The falcon family is cared for by KGHM employees, on whose initiative a special nesting platform was built on chimney H 120, the so-called ‘Koniczynka’ of the P-22 Flash Furnace Division at the Głogów II smelter. The falcon nest at the Głogów Copper Smelter can be observed at peregrinus.pl.

51 small falcons with names chosen by KGHM employees

During the past 16 years, a total of 51 chicks have hatched on all nesting platforms at KGHM. Each is given a name chosen by the company’s staff. Every year, new chicks are ringed - thanks to bird monitoring, it is known that Giga, a female peregrine falcon from Głogów, currently lives in Warsaw on a daily basis - nesting at the Palace of Culture and Science.

Ideal conditions for raising chicks

The proximity to nature and the silence proved to be ideal conditions for raising chicks. The Głogów Copper Smelter is surrounded by the so-called ‘Głogów Forest’ - an area of over 600 hectares of high natural and landscape value.

Forest residents in the vicinity of KGHM divisions

Peregrine falcons are not the only 'inhabitants' of KGHM's plants - roe deer, hares, wild boar, foxes and deer, among other animals, can be encountered there. The oxbow lakes intersected by the Oder river are home to otters, beavers and badgers, as well as around 100 species of birds, which have easy access to food there. Among the latter are waxwings, bullfinches, bramblings, great spotted woodpeckers, goldfinches, fieldfares, hawfinches, buntings, cormorants and cranes.

Annual tree planting campaigns

There are ongoing nature conservation efforts in the areas around KGHM's plants. Every year, volunteers organise a tree-planting campaign around KGHM's plants to celebrate the World Earth Day. Many species of birds and animals benefit from the abundance of nature.