Bees in New Hampshire in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bees in New Hampshire. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 2,173 of the 14,506 sightings logged across the year (15%), 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 New Hampshire
15%
of yearly sightings
2,173
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
14,506
verified records a year
April 5.9%, May 15%, June 18.9%. Busiest month is July at 22.5%.
14,506 verified observations of bees in New Hampshire, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bees are recorded in New Hampshire
Peak month
July
3,268 records (22.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0% |
| February | 1 | 0% |
| March | 60 | 0.4% |
| April | 856 | 5.9% |
| May | 2,173 | 15% |
| Junepeak | 2,746 | 18.9% |
| Julypeak | 3,268 | 22.5% |
| Augustpeak | 2,847 | 19.6% |
| September | 1,710 | 11.8% |
| October | 796 | 5.5% |
| November | 42 | 0.3% |
| December | 5 | 0% |
Bees you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Eastern Bumble Bee | 2,862 |
| Western Honey Bee | 1,344 |
| Two-spotted Bumble Bee | 730 |
| Brown-belted Bumble Bee | 643 |
| Tricolored Bumble Bee | 521 |
| Ligated Furrow Bee | 507 |
| Eastern Carpenter Bee | 442 |
| Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee | 267 |
In New Hampshire, May carries 15% of the year's bees sightings, about 6.7 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 April (5.9%) into May, and it heads toward June (18.9%) after. The busiest month is July (22.5%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bees most often recorded in New Hampshire are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Western Honey Bee and Two-spotted 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 Bee2,862 records
- Western Honey Bee1,344 records
- Two-spotted Bumble Bee730 records
- Brown-belted Bumble Bee643 records
- Tricolored Bumble Bee521 records
- Ligated Furrow Bee507 records
Plan your bee trip in New Hampshire
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.
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Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bee viewing area in New Hampshire.
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Broader backupBook a bee tour in New Hampshire
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 New Hampshire in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 2,173 of the 14,506 verified bees sightings logged in New Hampshire across the year, which is 15% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bees in New Hampshire?+
May 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 New Hampshire?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and June, based on 14,506 verified observations.
Which bees are you most likely to see in New Hampshire?+
The most-recorded species in New Hampshire are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Western Honey Bee and Two-spotted Bumble Bee, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bees in New Hampshire in other months
More wildlife in New Hampshire