Owls in Massachusetts in June

Yes, June is a good month to see owls in Massachusetts. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 556 of the 6,245 sightings logged across the year (8.9%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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

Eastern Screech-Owl photographed in MassachusettsNorthern Saw-whet Owl photographed in MassachusettsSnowy Owl photographed in Massachusetts
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for owls in Massachusetts

8.9%

of yearly sightings

556

records in June

#6

busiest month of 12

6,245

verified records a year

May 13.1%, June 8.9%, July 6.5%. Busiest month is May at 13.1%.

Best months: May, April, January

6,245 verified observations of owls in Massachusetts, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When owls are recorded in Massachusetts

Peak month

May

821 records (13.1% of the year)

Quietest month

September

292 records

MonthObservationsShare
Januarypeak6119.8%
February4937.9%
March5869.4%
Aprilpeak76512.2%
Maypeak82113.1%
June5568.9%
July4056.5%
August3565.7%
September2924.7%
October3495.6%
November4306.9%
December5819.3%

Owls you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Barred Owl3,125
Great Horned Owl1,216
Eastern Screech-Owl706
Snowy Owl510
Short-eared Owl204
Northern Saw-whet Owl137
Long-eared Owl106
American Barn Owl58

In Massachusetts, June carries 8.9% of the year's owls sightings, about 0.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from May (13.1%) into June, and it heads toward July (6.5%) after. The busiest month is May (13.1%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The owls most often recorded in Massachusetts are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Eastern Screech-Owl. 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 owls you are most likely to see

  • Barred Owl3,125 records
  • Great Horned Owl1,216 records
  • Eastern Screech-Owl706 records
  • Snowy Owl510 records
  • Short-eared Owl204 records
  • Northern Saw-whet Owl137 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

Plan your owl 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.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see owls in Massachusetts in June?+

Yes. June accounts for 556 of the 6,245 verified owls sightings logged in Massachusetts across the year, which is 8.9% of the annual total.

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

June is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though May and April is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for owls in Massachusetts?+

May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, April and January, based on 6,245 verified observations.

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

The most-recorded species in Massachusetts are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Eastern Screech-Owl, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.