Best Time to See Herons in Washington
May, June and April is the best time to see herons in Washington. Based on 17,842 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when 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 2, 2026.
Great Blue Heron · Gavin Slater CC BY
Great Blue Heron · Gavin Slater CC BY
Great Egret · Gavin Slater CC BY
17,842 verified observations of herons in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When herons are recorded in Washington
Peak month
May
2,258 records (12.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1,137 | 6.4% |
| February | 1,076 | 6% |
| March | 1,360 | 7.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 2,052 | 11.5% |
| Maypeak | 2,258 | 12.7% |
| Junepeak | 2,070 | 11.6% |
| July | 1,718 | 9.6% |
| August | 1,594 | 8.9% |
| September | 1,416 | 7.9% |
| October | 1,185 | 6.6% |
| November | 994 | 5.6% |
| December | 982 | 5.5% |
Herons you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Blue Heron | 15,890 |
| Great Egret | 828 |
| Green Heron | 485 |
| American Bittern | 398 |
| Black-crowned Night Heron | 180 |
| Snowy Egret | 13 |
| Little Blue Heron | 11 |
| Western Cattle-Egret | 4 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when herons are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for 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.
More on herons in Washington:
Sightings of herons in Washington peak in May, when 2,258 of the year's 17,842 verified observations are logged — about 12.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and April.
The quietest stretch is December, November and February, when herons are hardest to find — December sees just 982 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The herons you are most likely to encounter in Washington are Great Blue Heron, Great Egret and Green 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 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
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see herons in Washington?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and April, based on 17,842 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are herons hardest to see in Washington?+
December is the quietest month for herons in Washington, with only 982 verified records.
Are herons active year-round in Washington?+
Herons are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see herons
More wildlife in Washington