The debate around a local rookery has renewed after trees containing nests were cut down just before the return of great blue herons to the Rochester area.

Many of the area’s herons come back to one particular spot, a rookery located in a mature forest in Rochester Township, which has been the subject of debate for the past year as a developer moves forward with creating a housing development on some of the land.

The rookery is an area where blue herons create a colony of nests to breed and stay safe from predators. The Rochester Township rookery is located above Cascade Creek on three adjoining plots of land, and the herons that live there have a hunting radius that spans the city of Rochester.

International Properties LLC wants to use one of the properties, which contains much of the rookery, for a housing development. A local nonprofit organization, Save the Rookery, has filed a lawsuit appealing Rochester Township’s decision to approve the General Development Plan (GDP). The organization wants to stop the development of the land and establish protections for the rookery.

“This place is responsible for all of the great blue herons around town, so even if I’m walking around Silver Lake, those herons are coming from this particular rookery,” said Lynn Cornell, the president of the Save the Rookery board. “Our rookery in Rochester Township is responsible for keeping those birds here and maintaining the population here, so it’s really important for everyone in the community who enjoys seeing these birds around town and enjoys natural areas.”

Between Thursday and Sunday, around 20 trees were cut down in the area of the rookery, destroying the nests in those trees. The trees were located on land owned by Steve Connelly, who did not respond to a request for comment.

According to a Save the Rookery spokesperson, about 25 heron nests in the rookery are still intact. Cornell said Save the Rookery is disappointed by the “aggressive” action of cutting down the trees, but is still interested in buying the property in the hopes that the herons rebuild their nests.

Carrol Henderson, a wildlife biologist and bird conservation advocate, said, “This is very unfortunate, but we are happy that much of the rookery is still intact. We are sure that the birds will return soon and start building new nests to replace the ones that Mr. Connelly has destroyed.”

Around 20 trees were cut down to make way for a proposed housing development / Save the Rookery

Members of Save the Rookery believe that the local government has not done enough to protect the rookery. The Rochester Township board, Cornell believes, is too pro-development and doesn’t take into account the environmental impact of its decisions.

“Why couldn’t they consider the rookery? There was tremendous public support for saving this rookery,” Cornell said. “The township board members explicitly made these statements that they can’t consider the rookery in their decisions and that they’re pro-development and need to stay that way.”

Save the Rookery still aims to establish the rookery as a Scientific and Natural Area (SNA). An SNA is a protected area containing rare species, native plants or significant geological features. If the rookery becomes an SNA, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will manage its preservation. Recreational activities are allowed in these areas, including birdwatching and hiking.

Save the Rookery also has other goals. Cornell said the group plans to expand its reach into other facets of the Rochester community by creating youth programs and events.

The organization also recently set up a “HeronCam” at the site of the rookery, allowing people to watch herons in real-time via its website. Cornell said she believes that seeing the herons in their natural habitat will engage more people with Save the Rookery and prove to local officials that the herons live there.

“I think it’ll galvanize our support when people actually see the birds that are out there,” she said.

The herons that find shelter in the rookery are expected to return for the spring soon, as they usually fly back to the area in early March.

Lexie Pitzen is a SE Minnesota native with a bachelor’s degree in Information, Communication and Technology from Florida State University. When she’s not writing, she enjoys making art, drinking coffee, and being outdoors.

Cover photo courtesy Save the Rookery