Herons in Missouri in September

Yes, September is a good month to see herons in Missouri. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 442 of the 5,036 sightings logged across the year (8.8%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.

Snowy Egret photographed in MissouriGreat Egret photographed in MissouriGreat Blue Heron photographed in Missouri
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for herons in Missouri

8.8%

of yearly sightings

442

records in September

#6

busiest month of 12

5,036

verified records a year

August 12.9%, September 8.8%, October 4.7%. Busiest month is May at 20.6%.

Best months: May, April, June

5,036 verified observations of herons in Missouri, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When herons are recorded in Missouri

Peak month

May

1,038 records (20.6% of the year)

Quietest month

February

66 records

MonthObservationsShare
January871.7%
February661.3%
March1563.1%
Aprilpeak85116.9%
Maypeak1,03820.6%
Junepeak73214.5%
July53810.7%
August65012.9%
September4428.8%
October2364.7%
November1543.1%
December861.7%

Herons you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Great Blue Heron2,155
Great Egret1,245
Green Heron660
Little Blue Heron243
Black-crowned Night Heron198
Yellow-crowned Night Heron173
Snowy Egret135
Western Cattle-Egret91

In Missouri, September carries 8.8% of the year's herons sightings, about 0.5 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 (12.9%) into September, and it heads toward October (4.7%) after. The busiest month is May (20.6%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The herons most often recorded in Missouri are Great Blue Heron, Great Egret and Green Heron. 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 Heron2,155 records
  • Great Egret1,245 records
  • Green Heron660 records
  • Little Blue Heron243 records
  • Black-crowned Night Heron198 records
  • Yellow-crowned Night Heron173 records
Plan your tripGeorge Washington Carver National Monument

Plan your heron trip in Missouri

Start with live tours near George Washington Carver National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see herons in Missouri in September?+

Yes. September accounts for 442 of the 5,036 verified herons sightings logged in Missouri across the year, which is 8.8% of the annual total.

Is September a good time to see herons in Missouri?+

September is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though May and April is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for herons in Missouri?+

May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, April and June, based on 5,036 verified observations.

Which herons are you most likely to see in Missouri?+

The most-recorded species in Missouri are Great Blue Heron, Great Egret and Green Heron, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.