Owls in New Jersey in May
Yes, May is a good month to see owls in New Jersey. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 168 of the 1,783 sightings logged across the year (9.4%), 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 owls in New Jersey
9.4%
of yearly sightings
168
records in May
#5
busiest month of 12
1,783
verified records a year
April 12.3%, May 9.4%, June 7.2%. Busiest month is April at 12.3%.
1,783 verified observations of owls in New Jersey, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in New Jersey
Peak month
April
219 records (12.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 202 | 11.3% |
| February | 166 | 9.3% |
| Marchpeak | 204 | 11.4% |
| Aprilpeak | 219 | 12.3% |
| May | 168 | 9.4% |
| June | 129 | 7.2% |
| July | 100 | 5.6% |
| August | 96 | 5.4% |
| September | 95 | 5.3% |
| October | 90 | 5% |
| November | 124 | 7% |
| December | 190 | 10.7% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 673 |
| Barred Owl | 324 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 322 |
| Snowy Owl | 160 |
| Short-eared Owl | 98 |
| Long-eared Owl | 50 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | 34 |
| American Barn Owl | 12 |
In New Jersey, May carries 9.4% of the year's owls sightings, about 1.1 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 easing off from April (12.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (7.2%) after. The busiest month is April (12.3%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The owls most often recorded in New Jersey are Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl and Eastern Screech-Owl. 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 owls you are most likely to see
- Great Horned Owl673 records
- Barred Owl324 records
- Eastern Screech-Owl322 records
- Snowy Owl160 records
- Short-eared Owl98 records
- Long-eared Owl50 records
Plan your owl 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 owl viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best owl viewing area in New Jersey.
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Broader backupBook a owl tour in New Jersey
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see owls in New Jersey in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 168 of the 1,783 verified owls sightings logged in New Jersey across the year, which is 9.4% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see owls in New Jersey?+
May is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though April and March is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for owls in New Jersey?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, March and January, based on 1,783 verified observations.
Which owls are you most likely to see in New Jersey?+
The most-recorded species in New Jersey are Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl and Eastern Screech-Owl, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See owls in New Jersey in other months
More places to see owls
More wildlife in New Jersey