Bees in Massachusetts in June

Yes, June is a good month to see bees in Massachusetts. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 14,657 of the 94,542 sightings logged across the year (15.5%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

T

By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Eastern Carpenter Bee photographed in MassachusettsCommon Eastern Bumble Bee photographed in MassachusettsAnthophora walshii photographed in Massachusetts
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for bees in Massachusetts

15.5%

of yearly sightings

14,657

records in June

#4

busiest month of 12

94,542

verified records a year

May 11.8%, June 15.5%, July 21.3%. Busiest month is July at 21.3%.

Best months: July, August, SeptemberPeak season right now

94,542 verified observations of bees in Massachusetts, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When bees are recorded in Massachusetts

Peak month

July

20,102 records (21.3% of the year)

Quietest month

January

15 records

MonthObservationsShare
January150%
February300%
March7860.8%
April6,9787.4%
May11,19911.8%
June14,65715.5%
Julypeak20,10221.3%
Augustpeak17,69018.7%
Septemberpeak15,52816.4%
October6,9687.4%
November5700.6%
December190%

Bees you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Common Eastern Bumble Bee21,164
Western Honey Bee12,141
Brown-belted Bumble Bee5,436
Eastern Carpenter Bee4,288
Two-spotted Bumble Bee2,987
Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee2,502
Ligated Furrow Bee2,340
Pure Green Sweat bee960

In Massachusetts, June carries 15.5% of the year's bees sightings, about 7.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from May (11.8%) into June, and it heads toward July (21.3%) after. The busiest month is July (21.3%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The bees most often recorded in Massachusetts are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Western Honey Bee and Brown-belted Bumble Bee. Those counts are annual totals rather than a June split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in June itself.

Which bees you are most likely to see

  • Common Eastern Bumble Bee21,164 records
  • Western Honey Bee12,141 records
  • Brown-belted Bumble Bee5,436 records
  • Eastern Carpenter Bee4,288 records
  • Two-spotted Bumble Bee2,987 records
  • Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee2,502 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

Plan your bee trip in Massachusetts

Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see bees in Massachusetts in June?+

Yes. June accounts for 14,657 of the 94,542 verified bees sightings logged in Massachusetts across the year, which is 15.5% of the annual total.

Is June a good time to see bees in Massachusetts?+

June is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though July and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for bees in Massachusetts?+

July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and September, based on 94,542 verified observations.

Which bees are you most likely to see in Massachusetts?+

The most-recorded species in Massachusetts are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Western Honey Bee and Brown-belted Bumble Bee, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.