Best Time to See Great Blue Herons in Montana
July, June and May is the best time to see great blue herons in Montana. Based on 608 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great blue herons are most active across the year in Montana.
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 · Cole Wolf CC BY
Great Blue Heron · William Harmon CC BY
Great Blue Heron · Henry Mulligan CC BY
608 verified observations of great blue herons in Montana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great blue herons are recorded in Montana
Peak month
July
93 records (15.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 20 | 3.3% |
| February | 22 | 3.6% |
| March | 36 | 5.9% |
| April | 72 | 11.8% |
| Maypeak | 83 | 13.7% |
| Junepeak | 88 | 14.5% |
| Julypeak | 93 | 15.3% |
| August | 74 | 12.2% |
| September | 45 | 7.4% |
| October | 26 | 4.3% |
| November | 18 | 3% |
| December | 31 | 5.1% |
Great Blue Herons you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Blue Heron | 608 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Montana
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 36 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°F | 17°F | 1" |
| Feb | 22°F | 9°F | 1.5" |
| Mar | 33°F | 18°F | 1.1" |
| Apr | 40°F | 24°F | 2.3" |
| Maybest time | 53°F | 36°F | 3.5" |
| Junbest time | 65°F | 47°F | 3.2" |
| Julbest time | 75°F | 55°F | 2" |
| Aug | 74°F | 54°F | 1.7" |
| Sep | 65°F | 46°F | 2.1" |
| Oct | 46°F | 31°F | 2" |
| Nov | 36°F | 23°F | 1" |
| Dec | 30°F | 18°F | 1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Montana. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great blue herons in Montana peak in July, when 93 of the year's 608 verified observations are logged — about 15.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, June and May.
The quietest stretch is November, January and February, when great blue herons are hardest to find — November sees just 18 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 Montana 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 Montana
- Big Hole National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Yellowstone National Park — National Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great blue herons in Montana?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, June and May, based on 608 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great blue herons hardest to see in Montana?+
November is the quietest month for great blue herons in Montana, with only 18 verified records.
Are great blue herons active year-round in Montana?+
Great blue herons are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Montana, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.
More wildlife in Montana