North Minneapolis tornado - one year later
After the Mpls. tornado, herons find a new home
by Tom Crann, Minnesota Public RadioMINNEAPOLIS — A year ago, a tornado hit the north side of Minneapolis, causing the deaths of two residents and damage in the millions.
Another casualty of the storm was a Great Blue Heron Rookery at North Mississippi Regional Park, near downtown Minneapolis. Nearly 200 nests were destroyed when the cottonwood trees on the birds' home island were blown down.
A rescue operation quickly mobilized, and 13 chicks and one adult heron were rescued and released.
The adults that had left the roost -- as it turns out -- relocated quickly.
This week, MPR's Tom Crann went in search of the herons' new home, just upstream in the Mississippi on an island near Marshall Terrace Park. A boat ride, and National Park Ranger and self-described "bird chick" Sharon Stiteler, took him there.
Click the audio player above to hear Crann's report.
More from MPR
Sunday's tornado destroyed great blue heron rookeryMay 24, 2011
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Tom Crann
• Host, All Things ConsideredTom Crann is the host of All Things Considered for MPR News.
