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

Great Blue Heron Population Trend in New Jersey

All statesWetland birds

Great Blue Heron in New Jersey has surged: up 401% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+401%Since 1968
35Routes In State
57Years

Notable Great Blue Heron Trends in New Jersey

long arc increasecomputed index

Great Blue Heron has surged in New Jersey: up 401% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Great Blue Heron Population Forecast in New Jersey

If the recent trend holds, Great Blue Heron in New Jersey is projected to rise about 31% by 2029 — from 0.76 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.00 (95% range 0.13–1.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±34.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+31%Change by 2029
1.00Projected 2029 index
0.13–1.995% range
±34.8%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
20250.960.091.8
20260.970.101.8
20270.980.101.9
20280.990.121.9
20291.000.131.9

Great Blue Heron Survey Routes in New Jersey

Routes recording Great Blue Heron in New Jersey.
Croton420021970
Hope419931970
Pottersville320231977
Ramseysburg320241995
Woodbury Hgt220231967
Albion219921992
Bloomsbury220241973
Dover220231992
Pomona220211979
Ocean City220241984
Pedricktown 2220242014
Pedricktown220121992
Winslow220231990
Greenwich120241966
Six Points120211979
Spraguetown 2120052005
Toms River120241968
Ancora119731973
Bennett Mill119991996
Sandbrook120181988
Holmansville120042004
Clarksville119781978
New Bedford120141988
Midvale120221970
Kemah Lake120221968

Great Blue Heron Population Trend in Other States

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

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