Best Time to See Great Blue Herons in New York
September, August and July is the best time to see great blue herons in New York. Based on 9,237 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great blue herons are most active across the year in New York.
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 · Public domain CC0
Great White Heron · Caroline Quinn CC BY
Great Blue Heron · Bill Levine CC BY
9,237 verified observations of great blue herons in New York, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great blue herons are recorded in New York
Peak month
September
1,344 records (14.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 383 | 4.1% |
| February | 267 | 2.9% |
| March | 386 | 4.2% |
| April | 763 | 8.3% |
| May | 819 | 8.9% |
| June | 988 | 10.7% |
| Julypeak | 1,250 | 13.5% |
| Augustpeak | 1,282 | 13.9% |
| Septemberpeak | 1,344 | 14.6% |
| October | 875 | 9.5% |
| November | 511 | 5.5% |
| December | 369 | 4% |
Great Blue Herons you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Blue Heron | 9,237 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New York
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 53 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°F | 15°F | 3.7" |
| Feb | 32°F | 16°F | 3.6" |
| Mar | 41°F | 23°F | 3.8" |
| Apr | 52°F | 34°F | 4.9" |
| May | 63°F | 45°F | 3.9" |
| Jun | 72°F | 55°F | 3.8" |
| Julbest time | 77°F | 61°F | 5.3" |
| Augbest time | 75°F | 60°F | 5.3" |
| Sepbest time | 68°F | 53°F | 3.4" |
| Oct | 58°F | 44°F | 5.1" |
| Nov | 43°F | 30°F | 3.3" |
| Dec | 36°F | 24°F | 4.7" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New York. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great blue herons in New York peak in September, when 1,344 of the year's 9,237 verified observations are logged — about 14.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through September, August and July.
The quietest stretch is February, December and January, when great blue herons are hardest to find — February sees just 267 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 New York 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 New York
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
- Fire Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Martin Van Buren National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- National Parks of New York Harbor
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great blue herons in New York?+
September is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through September, August and July, based on 9,237 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great blue herons hardest to see in New York?+
February is the quietest month for great blue herons in New York, with only 267 verified records.
Are great blue herons active year-round in New York?+
Great blue herons are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New York, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in September.
More wildlife in New York