Owls in Maine in May
Yes, May is a good month to see owls in Maine. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 112 of the 1,159 sightings logged across the year (9.7%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for owls in Maine
9.7%
of yearly sightings
112
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
1,159
verified records a year
April 7.2%, May 9.7%, June 11.2%. Busiest month is June at 11.2%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 126 | 10.9% |
| February | 99 | 8.5% |
| March | 79 | 6.8% |
| April | 84 | 7.2% |
| May | 112 | 9.7% |
| Junepeak | 130 | 11.2% |
| Julypeak | 124 | 10.7% |
| August | 95 | 8.2% |
| September | 74 | 6.4% |
| October | 76 | 6.6% |
| November | 68 | 5.9% |
| December | 92 | 7.9% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Barred Owl | 786 |
| Snowy Owl | 144 |
| Great Horned Owl | 65 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | 59 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 26 |
| Short-eared Owl | 25 |
| Northern Hawk Owl | 14 |
| Great Gray Owl | 8 |
In Maine, May carries 9.7% of the year's owls sightings, about 1.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (7.2%) into May, and it heads toward June (11.2%) 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 May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May 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 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.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Acadia National Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main owl viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Acadia National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best owl viewing area in Maine.
Viator
Broader backupBook a owl tour in Maine
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see owls in Maine in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 112 of the 1,159 verified owls sightings logged in Maine across the year, which is 9.7% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see owls in Maine?+
May is the 4th 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.
See owls in Maine in other months
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Maine