Bees in New Jersey in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bees in New Jersey. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 4,579 of the 36,755 sightings logged across the year (12.5%), 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 Jersey
12.5%
of yearly sightings
4,579
records in May
#5
busiest month of 12
36,755
verified records a year
April 10.5%, May 12.5%, June 17.6%. Busiest month is July at 21.1%.
36,755 verified observations of bees in New Jersey, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bees are recorded in New Jersey
Peak month
July
7,739 records (21.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 24 | 0.1% |
| February | 92 | 0.3% |
| March | 1,195 | 3.3% |
| April | 3,847 | 10.5% |
| May | 4,579 | 12.5% |
| Junepeak | 6,470 | 17.6% |
| Julypeak | 7,739 | 21.1% |
| Augustpeak | 4,978 | 13.5% |
| September | 4,810 | 13.1% |
| October | 2,704 | 7.4% |
| November | 288 | 0.8% |
| December | 29 | 0.1% |
Bees you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Eastern Bumble Bee | 6,110 |
| Western Honey Bee | 4,155 |
| Eastern Carpenter Bee | 3,356 |
| Brown-belted Bumble Bee | 2,435 |
| Two-spotted Bumble Bee | 1,299 |
| Pure Green Sweat bee | 869 |
| Unequal Cellophane Bee | 531 |
| Ligated Furrow Bee | 462 |
In New Jersey, May carries 12.5% of the year's bees sightings, about 4.2 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 (10.5%) into May, and it heads toward June (17.6%) after. The busiest month is July (21.1%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bees most often recorded in New Jersey are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Western Honey Bee and Eastern Carpenter 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 Bee6,110 records
- Western Honey Bee4,155 records
- Eastern Carpenter Bee3,356 records
- Brown-belted Bumble Bee2,435 records
- Two-spotted Bumble Bee1,299 records
- Pure Green Sweat bee869 records
Plan your bee trip in New Jersey
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 Jersey.
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Broader backupBook a bee tour in New Jersey
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 Jersey in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 4,579 of the 36,755 verified bees sightings logged in New Jersey across the year, which is 12.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bees in New Jersey?+
May is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though July and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bees in New Jersey?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, June and August, based on 36,755 verified observations.
Which bees are you most likely to see in New Jersey?+
The most-recorded species in New Jersey are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Western Honey Bee and Eastern Carpenter Bee, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.