Great Egret in September
Where great egrets are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Great Egret's year
September is the peak of fall migration. Huge numbers of birds move south on cold fronts, mixed flocks form, and summer residents slip away almost unnoticed. Young birds making their first migration appear in places the species rarely visits.
For the Great Egret specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 41 states and provinces where great egrets occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where great egrets are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, great egrets are absent in the South, year-round resident across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in September
Great egrets are not nesting in September. The season runs March–June at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, great egrets put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.
What to feed in September
- Fish, frogs, crayfish and voles
Stalks pond margins and wet lawns; net ornamental fish ponds if one takes an interest.
Migrants passing through may stop at feeders for a day and never return — September rewards watching closely. Natural seed and fruit crops are abundant, so feeder traffic can be uneven.
Full Great Egret diet guide → · Best feeder for great egrets →
Watching great egrets this month
Great egrets are settled and predictable in September, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region great egrets are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Great Egret month by month
Great Egret by state
Frequently asked
Where are great egrets in September?
In September, great egrets are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do great egrets nest in September?
No — great egrets typically nest March through June at mid-latitudes.
What do great egrets eat in September?
Fish, frogs, crayfish and voles.
Sources
- Great Egret — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Great Egret life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Great Egret — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.