Minneapolis tornado destroys heron rookery

Here in Minneapolis we have a regional park with good access to a great blue heron rookery. The rookery was on an island in the river, easily viewable from shore and a great location in the spring for photographing the herons as they build their nests. Unfortunately the rookery took a direct hit from last Sunday's tornado. There were up to 200 nests on the island. I've been there many times to photograph herons and was very saddened by this. I will share some photos but first I want to talk about the birds which were rescued.

Since I work close by, and have rescue/transport equipment with me from my volunteer work with raptors, I went over on my lunch hour the day after the tornado to see if I could help. All the nests were completely gone and many adult herons were circling around overhead. There was nothing on shore that could be saved. The next day a more coordinated effort was made by park agencies, who took a boat over to the island and were able to rescue 9 chicks and some adults. I wasn't involved in that but have been keeping close track of the events.

These birds are being cared for at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota (WRC) and I encourage you to consider donations toward their care. A donation can be made directly to WRC, but you can also help by purchasing fish to help feed these herons. The supplier they use offers gift cards which can be purchased online and sent to WRC at the address 2530 Dale St. Roseville, MN 55113. You can follow their progress on the WRC blog.

Looking at the rookery, it's hard to imagine that the herons will be able to nest there again. Most of the trees were knocked down and those that are left were stripped bare. So a great area for photography has been lost. When I went on Monday, I didn't take my camera because photography wasn't my purpose, but I did snap a few photos with my iPhone, which I only took after it became clear there was nothing to rescue.

View of the rookery island with most trees gone and no nests remaining. Toward the bottom middle of the photo, closer to shore, there is a heron standing on a log. It has a compound fracture of one of its legs and we were unable to get to it.

That is so sad. Not enough good places like that, we don't need to lose any. Of course, there has also been a lot of human tragedy from recent storms, but I do feel sorry for animals who can't understand what is happening or try to protect themselves. Anyway, Liz, thanks for posting this and for trying to help.

Yes, the human and property loss from all the recent storms is tragic and my thoughts are with everyone affected. Just wanted to bring attention to a particularly notable non-human impact and one that is somewhat relevant to photography.

It's been so sad watching the news these past weeks, so much suffering and loss. It's heartbreaking and seeing this just brings to light how much the wildlife are suffering as well. I know you have a great admiration and respect for wildlife Liz, so I'm sure seeing this impacts you in a very personal way. The rookery near my house has provided me with year after year of memorable mornings of the annual nesting ritual, to see it in this condition would be very difficult. Thanks for sharing this and maybe in time a new rookery will emerge nearby, I sincerely hope so.

it hurts to see that. The power of the wind is devestating.

Damned weather, nothing is safe.

How heartbreaking. I lost three family members in the Alabama tornadoes. I didn't know them well, but any loss of life is devastating, whether it be human or animal.