Bruce Hitman Heron Rookery SNA
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4 Acres Located from Brooten 3 miles W on Co Hwy 8, then 3 miles S on Co Hwy 37 to the public access area. The lake is a 0.3 miles walk to the NW. Pope County Twp 123N Rng 36W Sec 17 Type: Deciduous Woods ECS Subsection: Minnesota River Prairie |
Description:
Bruce Hitman did an early study of the herons, and this small island SNA within Lake Johanna is named for him. The rookery is notable for being one of the largest and most diverse nesting sites for colonial water birds in the state. Large numbers of great blue herons, great egrets, double-crested cormorants, and black-crowned night herons nest here. The state rare bird species, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, snowy egret, and cattle egret, have been present or nested at the site. Green-backed heron are also known to nest here.
Visitor notes:
Note: The island SNA is closed to the public from April 1 through July 15 to protect the herons in nesting season.