Owls in Maine in August

Yes, August is a good month to see owls in Maine. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 95 of the 1,159 sightings logged across the year (8.2%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

American Great Gray Owl photographed in MaineNorthern Hawk Owl photographed in MaineAmerican Great Gray Owl photographed in Maine
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for owls in Maine

8.2%

of yearly sightings

95

records in August

#6

busiest month of 12

1,159

verified records a year

July 10.7%, August 8.2%, September 6.4%. Busiest month is June at 11.2%.

Best months: June, January, JulyPeak season right now

1,159 verified observations of owls in Maine, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When owls are recorded in Maine

Peak month

June

130 records (11.2% of the year)

Quietest month

November

68 records

MonthObservationsShare
Januarypeak12610.9%
February998.5%
March796.8%
April847.2%
May1129.7%
Junepeak13011.2%
Julypeak12410.7%
August958.2%
September746.4%
October766.6%
November685.9%
December927.9%

Owls you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Barred Owl786
Snowy Owl144
Great Horned Owl65
Northern Saw-whet Owl59
Eastern Screech-Owl26
Short-eared Owl25
Northern Hawk Owl14
Great Gray Owl8

In Maine, August carries 8.2% of the year's owls sightings, about 0.1 points below an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from July (10.7%) into August, and it heads toward September (6.4%) after. The busiest month is June (11.2%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The owls most often recorded in Maine are Barred Owl, Snowy Owl and Great Horned Owl. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.

Which owls you are most likely to see

  • Barred Owl786 records
  • Snowy Owl144 records
  • Great Horned Owl65 records
  • Northern Saw-whet Owl59 records
  • Eastern Screech-Owl26 records
  • Short-eared Owl25 records
Plan your tripAcadia National Park

Plan your owl trip in Maine

Start with live tours near Acadia National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see owls in Maine in August?+

Yes. August accounts for 95 of the 1,159 verified owls sightings logged in Maine across the year, which is 8.2% of the annual total.

Is August a good time to see owls in Maine?+

August is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though June and January is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for owls in Maine?+

June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, January and July, based on 1,159 verified observations.

Which owls are you most likely to see in Maine?+

The most-recorded species in Maine are Barred Owl, Snowy Owl and Great Horned Owl, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.