A Minnesota Great Blue Heron Rookery is Threatened
Save The Rookery
A Great Blue Heron nesting site (rookery) among 130 acres of contiguous forest near Rochester, Minnesota has been disrupted by development, but the habitat remains vital. This rare upland rookery for decades has been home to great blue herons and other species. Our goal is to restore and protect this site—and to raise awareness of other critical habitats across Minnesota.
“The biggest concerns for the future of the species are the protection of wetlands and the availability of secure nesting sites. General recommendations for management focus on protecting known colony sites and foraging areas.”
The Great Blue Heron
The great blue heron is a majestic bird that you likely have seen flying overhead or wading along the rivers and creeks around Rochester, Minnesota. The nesting site (rookery) in Rochester Township included at least 40 nests and has existed for decades.
Great Blue Herons are in decline in Minnesota
“Here is a rather revealing look at the number of Great Blue Heron reports recorded per Breeding Bird Survey route in Minnesota from 1967 to about 2017….their numbers have declined significantly since about 2000.”
-Carrol Henderson, former director of the Minnesota DNR Nongame Wildlife Program
(Chart from Robert B. Janssen, "Birds in Minnesota", Univ of MN Press, 2019. Used with permission.)
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