Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in Maine
April, May and September is the best time to see great horned owls in Maine. Based on 65 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls are most active across the year in Maine.
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 · Judd Nathan CC BY-ND
Great Horned Owl · Public domain CC0
Great Horned Owl · Richard Littauer CC BY
65 verified observations of great horned owls in Maine, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in Maine
Peak month
April
10 records (15.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 3.1% |
| February | 2 | 3.1% |
| March | 5 | 7.7% |
| Aprilpeak | 10 | 15.4% |
| Maypeak | 9 | 13.8% |
| June | 6 | 9.2% |
| July | 4 | 6.2% |
| August | 8 | 12.3% |
| Septemberpeak | 9 | 13.8% |
| October | 3 | 4.6% |
| November | 6 | 9.2% |
| December | 1 | 1.5% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 65 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Maine
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 32 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28°F | 11°F | 4" |
| Feb | 28°F | 11°F | 3.1" |
| Mar | 39°F | 20°F | 2.7" |
| Aprbest time | 51°F | 32°F | 4.8" |
| Maybest time | 64°F | 43°F | 3.2" |
| Jun | 74°F | 54°F | 3.7" |
| Jul | 80°F | 62°F | 4.9" |
| Aug | 77°F | 60°F | 4.7" |
| Sepbest time | 69°F | 53°F | 4.4" |
| Oct | 58°F | 43°F | 5.3" |
| Nov | 43°F | 29°F | 3.8" |
| Dec | 34°F | 20°F | 5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Maine. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great horned owls in Maine peak in April, when 10 of the year's 65 verified observations are logged — about 15.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and September.
The quietest stretch is December, when great horned owls are hardest to find — December sees just 1 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 Maine 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 Maine
- Acadia National Park — National Park
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument — National Monument
- Saint Croix Island International Historic Site — International Historic Site
- Frances Perkins National Monument — National Monument
- Maine Acadian Culture
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great horned owls in Maine?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and September, based on 65 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in Maine?+
December is the quietest month for great horned owls in Maine, with only 1 verified records.
Are great horned owls active year-round in Maine?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Maine, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Maine