Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in New Hampshire
June, January and May is the best time to see great horned owls in New Hampshire. Based on 52 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls are most active across the year in New Hampshire.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
Great Horned Owl · Vicki J Brown CC BY-ND
Great Horned Owl · Steven Lamonde CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Michael Nerrie CC BY
52 verified observations of great horned owls in New Hampshire, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in New Hampshire
Peak month
June
8 records (15.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 6 | 11.5% |
| February | 1 | 1.9% |
| March | 3 | 5.8% |
| April | 5 | 9.6% |
| Maypeak | 6 | 11.5% |
| Junepeak | 8 | 15.4% |
| July | 4 | 7.7% |
| August | 6 | 11.5% |
| September | 6 | 11.5% |
| October | 5 | 9.6% |
| November | 0 | 0% |
| December | 2 | 3.8% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 52 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New Hampshire
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when great horned owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for great horned owls sit around 8 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 24°F | 8°F | 4.1" |
| Feb | 25°F | 8°F | 3.6" |
| Mar | 34°F | 18°F | 3.3" |
| Apr | 45°F | 29°F | 5.2" |
| Maybest time | 58°F | 40°F | 4.1" |
| Junbest time | 67°F | 50°F | 4.8" |
| Jul | 72°F | 57°F | 7.1" |
| Aug | 70°F | 56°F | 4.5" |
| Sep | 63°F | 48°F | 4.5" |
| Oct | 53°F | 39°F | 5.6" |
| Nov | 38°F | 24°F | 4.2" |
| Dec | 30°F | 17°F | 6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New Hampshire. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great horned owls in New Hampshire peak in June, when 8 of the year's 52 verified observations are logged — about 15.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, January and May.
The quietest stretch is November and February, when great horned owls are hardest to find — no verified records exist for November. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The great horned owls you are most likely to encounter in New Hampshire are Great Horned Owl — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see great horned owls in New Hampshire
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Odiorne Point SP, Rye
- New Hampshire Coast (consider using a more specific location)
- Isles of Shoals (NH)
- Isles of Shoals--Star Island, Rye
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great horned owls in New Hampshire?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, January and May, based on 52 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in New Hampshire?+
November is the quietest month for great horned owls in New Hampshire, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are great horned owls active year-round in New Hampshire?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 11 of 12 months in New Hampshire, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More wildlife in New Hampshire