BirdAnalyst
Species · New Hampshire · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Great Blue Heron Population Trend in New Hampshire

All statesWetland birds

Great Blue Heron in New Hampshire has surged: up 83% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+83%Since 1968
24Routes In State
58Years

Notable Great Blue Heron Trends in New Hampshire

long arc increasecomputed index

Great Blue Heron has surged in New Hampshire: up 83% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Great Blue Heron Population Forecast in New Hampshire

If the recent trend holds, Great Blue Heron in New Hampshire is projected to rise about 44% by 2029 — from 0.36 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.53 (95% range 0.04–1.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±116.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+44%Change by 2029
0.53Projected 2029 index
0.04–1.095% range
±116.7%Backtest error
19662029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected index95% low95% high
20250.520.041.0
20260.520.041.0
20270.520.041.0
20280.520.041.0
20290.530.041.0

Great Blue Heron Survey Routes in New Hampshire

Routes recording Great Blue Heron in New Hampshire.
Jefferson Hl719951985
Brentwood319971969
Lempster320221979
Strafford220241967
Peterborough120191967
Fitzwilliam120241968
Dover120241966
Hopkinton120191975
Epsom120181966
Concord120181969
Canterbury120241967
Gilmantn I W120181970
Wilmot120241985
Mt Chocorua120241975
Walpole120241975
Marlow120211972
Franconia120231977
Milan120141975
Stratford120091971
Dixvil Notch120081971
Clarksville120071975
Glen120191989
East Kingston120222001
Jeffers Ntch120212003

Great Blue Heron Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.