Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in Maryland
April, March and May is the best time to see turkey vultures in Maryland. Based on 5,647 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures 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.
Turkey Vulture · Public domain CC0
Turkey Vulture · inbetweenbays CC BY
Turkey Vulture · jonsense CC BY
5,647 verified observations of turkey vultures in Maryland, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in Maryland
Peak month
April
851 records (15.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 441 | 7.8% |
| February | 496 | 8.8% |
| Marchpeak | 651 | 11.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 851 | 15.1% |
| Maypeak | 549 | 9.7% |
| June | 396 | 7% |
| July | 294 | 5.2% |
| August | 326 | 5.8% |
| September | 360 | 6.4% |
| October | 485 | 8.6% |
| November | 434 | 7.7% |
| December | 364 | 6.4% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 5,647 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Maryland
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when turkey vultures are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for turkey vultures 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 turkey vultures in Maryland peak in April, when 851 of the year's 5,647 verified observations are logged — about 15.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and May.
The quietest stretch is July, August and September, when turkey vultures are hardest to find — July sees just 294 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The turkey vultures you are most likely to encounter in Maryland are Turkey Vulture — 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 turkey vultures 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 turkey vultures in Maryland?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and May, based on 5,647 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in Maryland?+
July is the quietest month for turkey vultures in Maryland, with only 294 verified records.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in Maryland?+
Turkey vultures 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