Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in Maryland
April, March and February is the best time to see great horned owls in Maryland. Based on 579 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls are most active across the year in Maryland.
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 · Public domain CC0
Great Horned Owl · Jacob Malcom CC BY-SA
Great Horned Owl · Public domain CC0
579 verified observations of great horned owls in Maryland, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in Maryland
Peak month
April
107 records (18.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 31 | 5.4% |
| Februarypeak | 54 | 9.3% |
| Marchpeak | 103 | 17.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 107 | 18.5% |
| May | 36 | 6.2% |
| June | 29 | 5% |
| July | 36 | 6.2% |
| August | 38 | 6.6% |
| September | 43 | 7.4% |
| October | 40 | 6.9% |
| November | 30 | 5.2% |
| December | 32 | 5.5% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 579 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Maryland
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 31 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44°F | 30°F | 3.3" |
| Febbest time | 48°F | 31°F | 3.9" |
| Marbest time | 56°F | 37°F | 3.9" |
| Aprbest time | 66°F | 45°F | 4.7" |
| May | 73°F | 54°F | 4.7" |
| Jun | 83°F | 64°F | 5.4" |
| Jul | 89°F | 70°F | 7.3" |
| Aug | 85°F | 69°F | 7.6" |
| Sep | 79°F | 62°F | 4.9" |
| Oct | 69°F | 52°F | 4.9" |
| Nov | 56°F | 40°F | 3.2" |
| Dec | 49°F | 34°F | 4.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Maryland. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great horned owls in Maryland peak in April, when 107 of the year's 579 verified observations are logged — about 18.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and February.
The quietest stretch is June, November and January, when great horned owls are hardest to find — June sees just 29 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 Maryland 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 Maryland
- Antietam National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Assateague Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Chesapeake Bay
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great horned owls in Maryland?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and February, based on 579 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in Maryland?+
June is the quietest month for great horned owls in Maryland, with only 29 verified records.
Are great horned owls active year-round in Maryland?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Maryland, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Maryland