Herons in Massachusetts in September
Yes, September is a good month to see herons in Massachusetts. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 2,013 of the 17,248 sightings logged across the year (11.7%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for herons in Massachusetts
11.7%
of yearly sightings
2,013
records in September
#6
busiest month of 12
17,248
verified records a year
August 14.9%, September 11.7%, October 6.5%. Busiest month is May at 15.8%.
17,248 verified observations of herons in Massachusetts, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When herons are recorded in Massachusetts
Peak month
May
2,724 records (15.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 309 | 1.8% |
| February | 211 | 1.2% |
| March | 526 | 3% |
| April | 2,274 | 13.2% |
| Maypeak | 2,724 | 15.8% |
| Junepeak | 2,534 | 14.7% |
| July | 2,096 | 12.2% |
| Augustpeak | 2,571 | 14.9% |
| September | 2,013 | 11.7% |
| October | 1,114 | 6.5% |
| November | 560 | 3.2% |
| December | 316 | 1.8% |
Herons you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Blue Heron | 8,864 |
| Great Egret | 3,164 |
| Snowy Egret | 1,461 |
| Green Heron | 1,386 |
| Black-crowned Night Heron | 1,289 |
| Yellow-crowned Night Heron | 347 |
| Little Blue Heron | 192 |
| American Bittern | 145 |
In Massachusetts, September carries 11.7% of the year's herons sightings, about 3.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (14.9%) into September, and it heads toward October (6.5%) after. The busiest month is May (15.8%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The herons most often recorded in Massachusetts are Great Blue Heron, Great Egret and Snowy Egret. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September itself.
Which herons you are most likely to see
- Great Blue Heron8,864 records
- Great Egret3,164 records
- Snowy Egret1,461 records
- Green Heron1,386 records
- Black-crowned Night Heron1,289 records
- Yellow-crowned Night Heron347 records
Plan your heron trip in Massachusetts
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main heron viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best heron viewing area in Massachusetts.
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Broader backupBook a heron tour in Massachusetts
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see herons in Massachusetts in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 2,013 of the 17,248 verified herons sightings logged in Massachusetts across the year, which is 11.7% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see herons in Massachusetts?+
September is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though May and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for herons in Massachusetts?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, August and June, based on 17,248 verified observations.
Which herons are you most likely to see in Massachusetts?+
The most-recorded species in Massachusetts are Great Blue Heron, Great Egret and Snowy Egret, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See herons in Massachusetts in other months
More places to see herons
More wildlife in Massachusetts