Owls in Massachusetts in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see owls in Massachusetts. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 821 of the 6,245 sightings logged across the year (13.1%), 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 Massachusetts
13.1%
of yearly sightings
821
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
6,245
verified records a year
April 12.2%, May 13.1%, June 8.9%. Busiest month is May at 13.1%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 611 | 9.8% |
| February | 493 | 7.9% |
| March | 586 | 9.4% |
| Aprilpeak | 765 | 12.2% |
| Maypeak | 821 | 13.1% |
| June | 556 | 8.9% |
| July | 405 | 6.5% |
| August | 356 | 5.7% |
| September | 292 | 4.7% |
| October | 349 | 5.6% |
| November | 430 | 6.9% |
| December | 581 | 9.3% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Barred Owl | 3,125 |
| Great Horned Owl | 1,216 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 706 |
| Snowy Owl | 510 |
| Short-eared Owl | 204 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | 137 |
| Long-eared Owl | 106 |
| American Barn Owl | 58 |
In Massachusetts, May carries 13.1% of the year's owls sightings, about 4.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between April and May, and it heads toward June (8.9%) 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 Massachusetts 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 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 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.
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 owl viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best owl viewing area in Massachusetts.
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Broader backupBook a owl tour in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 821 of the 6,245 verified owls sightings logged in Massachusetts across the year, which is 13.1% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see owls in Massachusetts?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, April and January.
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.
See owls in Massachusetts in other months
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Massachusetts