Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in Delaware
April, July and March is the best time to see great horned owls in Delaware. Based on 150 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls are most active across the year in Delaware.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
Great Horned Owl · Elizabeth Green CC BY
Great Horned Owl · inbetweenbays CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Alina Martin CC BY
150 verified observations of great horned owls in Delaware, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in Delaware
Peak month
April
31 records (20.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 9 | 6% |
| February | 7 | 4.7% |
| Marchpeak | 20 | 13.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 31 | 20.7% |
| May | 18 | 12% |
| June | 10 | 6.7% |
| Julypeak | 24 | 16% |
| August | 13 | 8.7% |
| September | 3 | 2% |
| October | 9 | 6% |
| November | 2 | 1.3% |
| December | 4 | 2.7% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 150 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Delaware
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when great horned owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for great horned owls sit around 39 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44°F | 32°F | 2.9" |
| Feb | 47°F | 33°F | 3.8" |
| Marbest time | 54°F | 39°F | 3.8" |
| Aprbest time | 63°F | 48°F | 4.5" |
| May | 70°F | 56°F | 3.9" |
| Jun | 79°F | 66°F | 3.9" |
| Julbest time | 86°F | 73°F | 6" |
| Aug | 83°F | 72°F | 5.1" |
| Sep | 77°F | 65°F | 4.3" |
| Oct | 68°F | 55°F | 4.4" |
| Nov | 56°F | 43°F | 2.8" |
| Dec | 48°F | 36°F | 4.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Delaware. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great horned owls in Delaware peak in April, when 31 of the year's 150 verified observations are logged — about 20.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, July and March.
The quietest stretch is November and September, when great horned owls are hardest to find — November sees just 2 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The great horned owls you are most likely to encounter in Delaware are Great Horned Owl — 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 great horned owls in Delaware
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
- First State National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Cape Henlopen State Park
- Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great horned owls in Delaware?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, July and March, based on 150 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in Delaware?+
November is the quietest month for great horned owls in Delaware, with only 2 verified records.
Are great horned owls active year-round in Delaware?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Delaware, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Delaware