Bees in Michigan in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bees in Michigan. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 4,693 of the 42,733 sightings logged across the year (11%), 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 Michigan
11%
of yearly sightings
4,693
records in May
#5
busiest month of 12
42,733
verified records a year
April 7.4%, May 11%, June 15.7%. Busiest month is August at 25%.
42,733 verified observations of bees in Michigan, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bees are recorded in Michigan
Peak month
August
10,703 records (25% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10 | 0% |
| February | 36 | 0.1% |
| March | 214 | 0.5% |
| April | 3,152 | 7.4% |
| May | 4,693 | 11% |
| Junepeak | 6,712 | 15.7% |
| Julypeak | 9,840 | 23% |
| Augustpeak | 10,703 | 25% |
| September | 5,999 | 14% |
| October | 1,278 | 3% |
| November | 88 | 0.2% |
| December | 8 | 0% |
Bees you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Eastern Bumble Bee | 8,881 |
| Western Honey Bee | 4,352 |
| Brown-belted Bumble Bee | 2,506 |
| Eastern Carpenter Bee | 2,169 |
| Two-spotted Bumble Bee | 2,087 |
| Tricolored Bumble Bee | 1,164 |
| Pure Green Sweat bee | 830 |
| Ligated Furrow Bee | 708 |
In Michigan, May carries 11% of the year's bees sightings, about 2.7 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 (15.7%) after. The busiest month is August (25%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bees most often recorded in Michigan 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 Bee8,881 records
- Western Honey Bee4,352 records
- Brown-belted Bumble Bee2,506 records
- Eastern Carpenter Bee2,169 records
- Two-spotted Bumble Bee2,087 records
- Tricolored Bumble Bee1,164 records
Plan your bee trip in Michigan
Start with live tours near Isle Royale National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Isle Royale National Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bee viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Isle Royale National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bee viewing area in Michigan.
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Broader backupBook a bee tour in Michigan
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 Michigan in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 4,693 of the 42,733 verified bees sightings logged in Michigan across the year, which is 11% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bees in Michigan?+
May is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though August and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bees in Michigan?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, July and June, based on 42,733 verified observations.
Which bees are you most likely to see in Michigan?+
The most-recorded species in Michigan are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Western Honey Bee and Brown-belted Bumble Bee, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bees in Michigan in other months
More wildlife in Michigan