Best Time to See Great Blue Herons in Washington
May, June and April is the best time to see great blue herons in Washington. Based on 16,195 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great blue herons are most active across the year in Washington.
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 · Gavin Slater CC BY
Great Blue Heron · Gavin Slater CC BY
Great Blue Heron · Gavin Slater CC BY
16,195 verified observations of great blue herons in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great blue herons are recorded in Washington
Peak month
May
2,046 records (12.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1,007 | 6.2% |
| February | 998 | 6.2% |
| March | 1,260 | 7.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,884 | 11.6% |
| Maypeak | 2,046 | 12.6% |
| Junepeak | 1,915 | 11.8% |
| July | 1,799 | 11.1% |
| August | 1,342 | 8.3% |
| September | 1,157 | 7.1% |
| October | 1,046 | 6.5% |
| November | 865 | 5.3% |
| December | 876 | 5.4% |
Great Blue Herons you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Blue Heron | 16,195 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
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 33 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35°F | 24°F | 4.5" |
| Feb | 36°F | 22°F | 2.8" |
| Mar | 46°F | 28°F | 1.2" |
| Aprbest time | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| Maybest time | 67°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
| Junbest time | 76°F | 51°F | 0.9" |
| Jul | 86°F | 57°F | 0.2" |
| Aug | 86°F | 58°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 74°F | 50°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 59°F | 39°F | 1.7" |
| Nov | 42°F | 29°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 33°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Washington. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great blue herons in Washington peak in May, when 2,046 of the year's 16,195 verified observations are logged — about 12.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and April.
The quietest stretch is November, December and February, when great blue herons are hardest to find — November sees just 865 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 Washington 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 Washington
- Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve — National Historical Reserve
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Mount Rainier National Park — National Park
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great blue herons in Washington?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and April, based on 16,195 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great blue herons hardest to see in Washington?+
November is the quietest month for great blue herons in Washington, with only 865 verified records.
Are great blue herons active year-round in Washington?+
Great blue herons are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in Washington