Bees in Massachusetts in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bees in Massachusetts. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 11,199 of the 94,542 sightings logged across the year (11.8%), 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.
Good month for bees in Massachusetts
11.8%
of yearly sightings
11,199
records in May
#5
busiest month of 12
94,542
verified records a year
April 7.4%, May 11.8%, June 15.5%. Busiest month is July at 21.3%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 15 | 0% |
| February | 30 | 0% |
| March | 786 | 0.8% |
| April | 6,978 | 7.4% |
| May | 11,199 | 11.8% |
| June | 14,657 | 15.5% |
| Julypeak | 20,102 | 21.3% |
| Augustpeak | 17,690 | 18.7% |
| Septemberpeak | 15,528 | 16.4% |
| October | 6,968 | 7.4% |
| November | 570 | 0.6% |
| December | 19 | 0% |
Bees you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Eastern Bumble Bee | 21,164 |
| Western Honey Bee | 12,141 |
| Brown-belted Bumble Bee | 5,436 |
| Eastern Carpenter Bee | 4,288 |
| Two-spotted Bumble Bee | 2,987 |
| Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee | 2,502 |
| Ligated Furrow Bee | 2,340 |
| Pure Green Sweat bee | 960 |
In Massachusetts, May carries 11.8% of the year's bees sightings, about 3.5 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (7.4%) into May, and it heads toward June (15.5%) 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 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 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 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.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bee viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bee viewing area in Massachusetts.
Viator
Broader backupBook a bee tour in Massachusetts
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bees in Massachusetts in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 11,199 of the 94,542 verified bees sightings logged in Massachusetts across the year, which is 11.8% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bees in Massachusetts?+
May is the 5th 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.
See bees in Massachusetts in other months
More wildlife in Massachusetts