Best Time to See Herons in Colorado
May, June and April is the best time to see herons in Colorado. Based on 8,562 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when 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 2, 2026.
American Bittern · danpatrick CC BY
Great Blue Heron · Fyn Kynd CC BY-SA
Great Blue Heron · Shalana Gray CC BY
8,562 verified observations of herons in Colorado, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When herons are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
May
1,791 records (20.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 228 | 2.7% |
| February | 194 | 2.3% |
| March | 368 | 4.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,378 | 16.1% |
| Maypeak | 1,791 | 20.9% |
| Junepeak | 1,473 | 17.2% |
| July | 919 | 10.7% |
| August | 821 | 9.6% |
| September | 733 | 8.6% |
| October | 326 | 3.8% |
| November | 165 | 1.9% |
| December | 166 | 1.9% |
Herons you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Blue Heron | 4,941 |
| Snowy Egret | 1,640 |
| Black-crowned Night Heron | 1,249 |
| Great Egret | 326 |
| Western Cattle-Egret | 112 |
| American Bittern | 76 |
| Green Heron | 73 |
| Yellow-crowned Night Heron | 38 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Colorado
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when herons are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for 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.
More on herons in Colorado:
Sightings of herons in Colorado peak in May, when 1,791 of the year's 8,562 verified observations are logged — about 20.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and April.
The quietest stretch is November, December and February, when herons are hardest to find — November sees just 165 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The herons you are most likely to encounter in Colorado are Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret and Black-crowned Night 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 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
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see herons in Colorado?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and April, based on 8,562 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are herons hardest to see in Colorado?+
November is the quietest month for herons in Colorado, with only 165 verified records.
Are herons active year-round in Colorado?+
Herons are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Colorado, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see herons
More wildlife in Colorado