Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in New Jersey
April, May and June is the best time to see great horned owls in New Jersey. Based on 681 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls are most active across the year in New Jersey.
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 · dianneconner CC BY
Great Horned Owl · George Pushkal CC BY
Great Horned Owl · dianneconner CC BY
681 verified observations of great horned owls in New Jersey, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in New Jersey
Peak month
April
135 records (19.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 55 | 8.1% |
| February | 38 | 5.6% |
| March | 47 | 6.9% |
| Aprilpeak | 135 | 19.8% |
| Maypeak | 69 | 10.1% |
| Junepeak | 65 | 9.5% |
| July | 51 | 7.5% |
| August | 46 | 6.8% |
| September | 43 | 6.3% |
| October | 40 | 5.9% |
| November | 35 | 5.1% |
| December | 57 | 8.4% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 681 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New Jersey
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 44 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F | 28°F | 3.4" |
| Feb | 45°F | 29°F | 3.5" |
| Mar | 54°F | 35°F | 4.3" |
| Aprbest time | 63°F | 44°F | 4.6" |
| Maybest time | 72°F | 53°F | 4.1" |
| Junbest time | 82°F | 63°F | 4.1" |
| Jul | 88°F | 70°F | 5.2" |
| Aug | 85°F | 69°F | 4.3" |
| Sep | 78°F | 61°F | 4.4" |
| Oct | 68°F | 52°F | 4.7" |
| Nov | 55°F | 39°F | 3" |
| Dec | 46°F | 32°F | 4.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New Jersey. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great horned owls in New Jersey peak in April, when 135 of the year's 681 verified observations are logged — about 19.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.
The quietest stretch is November, February and October, when great horned owls are hardest to find — November sees just 35 records. 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 Jersey 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 Jersey
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Great Egg Harbor River
- Morristown National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Ellis Island Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument — Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument
- Gateway National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great horned owls in New Jersey?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 681 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in New Jersey?+
November is the quietest month for great horned owls in New Jersey, with only 35 verified records.
Are great horned owls active year-round in New Jersey?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New Jersey, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.