Owls in Maryland in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see owls in Maryland. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 421 of the 3,656 sightings logged across the year (11.5%), 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.
Peak month for owls in Maryland
11.5%
of yearly sightings
421
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
3,656
verified records a year
April 14.3%, May 11.5%, June 9%. Busiest month is April at 14.3%.
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 |
In Maryland, May carries 11.5% of the year's owls sightings, about 3.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (14.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (9%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The owls most often recorded in Maryland are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Eastern Screech-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 Owl2,019 records
- Great Horned Owl574 records
- Eastern Screech-Owl409 records
- Short-eared Owl220 records
- Snowy Owl156 records
- Northern Saw-whet Owl134 records
Plan your owl trip in Maryland
Start with live tours near Antietam National Battlefield, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Antietam National Battlefield
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main owl viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Antietam National Battlefield
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best owl viewing area in Maryland.
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Broader backupBook a owl tour in Maryland
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 Maryland in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 421 of the 3,656 verified owls sightings logged in Maryland across the year, which is 11.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see owls in Maryland?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and March.
What month is best for owls in Maryland?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and March, based on 3,656 verified observations.
Which owls are you most likely to see in Maryland?+
The most-recorded species in Maryland are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Eastern Screech-Owl, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See owls in Maryland in other months
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Maryland