Best Time to See Great Blue Herons in Colorado
May, April and June is the best time to see great blue herons in Colorado. Based on 5,017 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great blue herons are most active across the year in Colorado.
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 · Fyn Kynd CC BY-SA
Great Blue Heron · Shalana Gray CC BY
Great Blue Heron · Jared Lincenberg CC BY
5,017 verified observations of great blue herons in Colorado, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great blue herons are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
May
920 records (18.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 219 | 4.4% |
| February | 186 | 3.7% |
| March | 353 | 7% |
| Aprilpeak | 900 | 17.9% |
| Maypeak | 920 | 18.3% |
| Junepeak | 716 | 14.3% |
| July | 457 | 9.1% |
| August | 401 | 8% |
| September | 344 | 6.9% |
| October | 221 | 4.4% |
| November | 142 | 2.8% |
| December | 158 | 3.1% |
Great Blue Herons you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Blue Heron | 5,017 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Colorado
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 20 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°F | 5°F | 0.5" |
| Feb | 27°F | 3°F | 0.9" |
| Mar | 34°F | 9°F | 1.3" |
| Aprbest time | 46°F | 20°F | 1.1" |
| Maybest time | 57°F | 31°F | 2.5" |
| Junbest time | 69°F | 42°F | 2.1" |
| Jul | 76°F | 49°F | 2.5" |
| Aug | 75°F | 48°F | 1.7" |
| Sep | 69°F | 41°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 54°F | 27°F | 0.8" |
| Nov | 40°F | 18°F | 0.6" |
| Dec | 30°F | 10°F | 0.9" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Colorado. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great blue herons in Colorado peak in May, when 920 of the year's 5,017 verified observations are logged — about 18.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and June.
The quietest stretch is November, December and February, when great blue herons are hardest to find — November sees just 142 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 Colorado 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 Colorado
- Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park — National Park
- Colorado National Monument — National Monument
- Curecanti National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Dinosaur National Monument — National Monument
- Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve — National Park & Preserve
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great blue herons in Colorado?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and June, based on 5,017 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great blue herons hardest to see in Colorado?+
November is the quietest month for great blue herons in Colorado, with only 142 verified records.
Are great blue herons active year-round in Colorado?+
Great blue herons are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Colorado, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in Colorado