When do wrens leave Montana?

Most Northern House Wrens have left Montana by the second week of September, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until late September.

When is the best time to see wrens in Montana?

The Northern House Wren is reported most often in early June, on about 25% of Montana checklists.

Which wrens are in Montana?

Northern House Wren and Marsh Wren are reported regularly; the Northern House Wren is the most common.

2 wren species in Montana

When Do Wrens Arrive in Montana?

Northern House Wrens and Marsh Wrens are the wrens you are most likely to see in Montana. Northern House Wrens reach Montana in late April, are common by the second week of May, peak in early June (25% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of September.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 22-30late April

Common byMay 8-14the second week of May

PeakJun 1-7early June

Most gone bySep 8-14the second week of September

Best: early June. First arrivals late April; most are gone by the second week of September. Peak: on about 25% of Montana checklists.

Jannot usually seen
Febnot usually seen
Marnot usually seen
Aprrare
Maypeak season
Junpeak season
Julpeak season
Augcommon
Sepcommon
Octrare
Novnot usually seen
Decnot usually seen

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Wrens in Montana, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
Northern House Wren	Apr 22-30	May 8-14	Jun 1-7	Sep 8-14	25%
Marsh Wren	Apr 1-7	Apr 8-14	May 1-7	Oct 8-14	6.7%

Northern House Wren
Marsh Wren

Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in Montana that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in Montana

Best counties for Northern House Wren

Share of checklists at the peak

Treasure CountyBest late May · 33 checklists that week, 265 in all62%
Richland CountyBest late June · 20 checklists that week, 673 in all54%
Custer CountyBest early July · 43 checklists that week, 1,404 in all50%
Powder River CountyBest the second week of July · 14 checklists that week, 598 in all49%
Chouteau CountyBest mid June · 93 checklists that week, 954 in all48%
Yellowstone CountyBest the second week of June · 277 checklists that week, 13,895 in all47%

All wrens in Montana

5 species are reported regularly: 1 stay all year and 4 are summer visitors.

#	Species	Pattern	First arrivals	Peak	Peak %
1	Northern House Wren	Summer visitor	Apr 22-30	Jun 1-7	25%
2	Marsh Wren	Summer visitor	Apr 1-7	May 1-7	6.7%
3	Rock Wren	Summer visitor	May 1-7	Jun 15-21	3.2%
4	American Dipper	Year-round	all year	Jul 8-14	2.9%
5	Pacific Wren	Summer visitor	Mar 22-31	Jul 8-14	2.7%

Common questions

When do wrens arrive in Montana?: Northern House Wrens reach Montana in late April, are common by the second week of May, peak in early June (25% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of September.
When do wrens leave Montana?: Most Northern House Wrens have left Montana by the second week of September, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until late September.
When is the best time to see wrens in Montana?: The Northern House Wren is reported most often in early June, on about 25% of Montana checklists.
Which wrens are in Montana?: Northern House Wren and Marsh Wren are reported regularly; the Northern House Wren is the most common.