Best Time to See Owls in Maryland
April, May and March is the best time to see owls in Maryland. Based on 3,656 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when 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 June 28, 2026.
Burrowing Owl · Scott Clark CC BY
Barred Owl · Matt Felperin CC BY
Eastern Screech-Owl · Public domain CC0
3,656 verified observations of owls in Maryland, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in Maryland
Peak month
April
522 records (14.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 310 | 8.5% |
| February | 376 | 10.3% |
| Marchpeak | 405 | 11.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 522 | 14.3% |
| Maypeak | 421 | 11.5% |
| June | 328 | 9% |
| July | 240 | 6.6% |
| August | 170 | 4.6% |
| September | 186 | 5.1% |
| October | 210 | 5.7% |
| November | 220 | 6% |
| December | 268 | 7.3% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Barred Owl | 2,019 |
| Great Horned Owl | 574 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 409 |
| Short-eared Owl | 220 |
| Snowy Owl | 156 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | 134 |
| American Barn Owl | 66 |
| Long-eared Owl | 20 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Maryland
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for owls 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.
More on owls in Maryland:
Sightings of owls in Maryland peak in April, when 522 of the year's 3,656 verified observations are logged — about 14.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and March.
The quietest stretch is August, September and October, when owls are hardest to find — August sees just 170 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The owls you are most likely to encounter in Maryland are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Eastern Screech-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 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
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see owls in Maryland?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 3,656 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are owls hardest to see in Maryland?+
August is the quietest month for owls in Maryland, with only 170 verified records.
Are owls active year-round in Maryland?+
Owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Maryland, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Maryland