Best Time to See Mallards in Maryland
April, May and March is the best time to see mallards in Maryland. Based on 10,696 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when mallards 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.
10,696 verified observations of mallards in Maryland, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mallards are recorded in Maryland
Peak month
April
1,770 records (16.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 951 | 8.9% |
| February | 1,030 | 9.6% |
| Marchpeak | 1,158 | 10.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,770 | 16.5% |
| Maypeak | 1,255 | 11.7% |
| June | 877 | 8.2% |
| July | 543 | 5.1% |
| August | 535 | 5% |
| September | 520 | 4.9% |
| October | 593 | 5.5% |
| November | 709 | 6.6% |
| December | 755 | 7.1% |
Mallards you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mallard | 10,696 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Maryland
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when mallards are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for mallards sit around 37 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44°F | 30°F | 3.3" |
| Feb | 48°F | 31°F | 3.9" |
| Marbest time | 56°F | 37°F | 3.9" |
| Aprbest time | 66°F | 45°F | 4.7" |
| Maybest time | 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 mallards in Maryland peak in April, when 1,770 of the year's 10,696 verified observations are logged — about 16.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and March.
The quietest stretch is September, August and July, when mallards are hardest to find — September sees just 520 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The mallards you are most likely to encounter in Maryland are Mallard — 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 mallards 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 mallards in Maryland?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 10,696 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are mallards hardest to see in Maryland?+
September is the quietest month for mallards in Maryland, with only 520 verified records.
Are mallards active year-round in Maryland?+
Mallards 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