Best Time to See Great Blue Herons in Arkansas
May, September and October is the best time to see great blue herons in Arkansas. Based on 1,970 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great blue herons are most active across the year in Arkansas.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
Great Blue Heron · Andrew Conboy CC BY
Great Blue Heron · shzimmer CC BY
Great Blue Heron · shzimmer CC BY
1,970 verified observations of great blue herons in Arkansas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great blue herons are recorded in Arkansas
Peak month
May
219 records (11.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 143 | 7.3% |
| February | 129 | 6.5% |
| March | 132 | 6.7% |
| April | 173 | 8.8% |
| Maypeak | 219 | 11.1% |
| June | 175 | 8.9% |
| July | 142 | 7.2% |
| August | 171 | 8.7% |
| Septemberpeak | 190 | 9.6% |
| Octoberpeak | 184 | 9.3% |
| November | 156 | 7.9% |
| December | 156 | 7.9% |
Great Blue Herons you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Blue Heron | 1,970 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Arkansas
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when great blue herons are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for great blue herons sit around 56 to 87 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 52°F | 36°F | 4.7" |
| Feb | 54°F | 36°F | 5.3" |
| Mar | 64°F | 45°F | 6.1" |
| Apr | 71°F | 52°F | 6.8" |
| Maybest time | 80°F | 62°F | 5.3" |
| Jun | 88°F | 70°F | 4.4" |
| Jul | 92°F | 74°F | 3.7" |
| Aug | 91°F | 74°F | 3.3" |
| Sepbest time | 87°F | 68°F | 2" |
| Octbest time | 74°F | 56°F | 4.3" |
| Nov | 61°F | 43°F | 3.1" |
| Dec | 57°F | 40°F | 3.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Arkansas. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great blue herons in Arkansas peak in May, when 219 of the year's 1,970 verified observations are logged — about 11.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, September and October.
The quietest stretch is February, March and July, when great blue herons are hardest to find — February sees just 129 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The great blue herons you are most likely to encounter in Arkansas are Great Blue Heron — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see great blue herons in Arkansas
- Arkansas Post National Memorial — National Memorial
- Buffalo National River — National River
- Hot Springs National Park — National Park
- Pea Ridge National Military Park — National Military Park
- Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Fort Smith National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great blue herons in Arkansas?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, September and October, based on 1,970 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great blue herons hardest to see in Arkansas?+
February is the quietest month for great blue herons in Arkansas, with only 129 verified records.
Are great blue herons active year-round in Arkansas?+
Great blue herons are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Arkansas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in Arkansas