Bees in New York in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bees in New York. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 13,403 of the 115,774 sightings logged across the year (11.6%), 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 York
11.6%
of yearly sightings
13,403
records in May
#5
busiest month of 12
115,774
verified records a year
April 7.4%, May 11.6%, June 16.9%. Busiest month is July at 21.1%.
115,774 verified observations of bees in New York, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bees are recorded in New York
Peak month
July
24,414 records (21.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 43 | 0% |
| February | 102 | 0.1% |
| March | 1,334 | 1.2% |
| April | 8,518 | 7.4% |
| May | 13,403 | 11.6% |
| Junepeak | 19,526 | 16.9% |
| Julypeak | 24,414 | 21.1% |
| Augustpeak | 22,212 | 19.2% |
| September | 16,663 | 14.4% |
| October | 8,392 | 7.2% |
| November | 1,111 | 1% |
| December | 56 | 0% |
Bees you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Eastern Bumble Bee | 22,965 |
| Western Honey Bee | 13,616 |
| Brown-belted Bumble Bee | 7,816 |
| Eastern Carpenter Bee | 7,302 |
| Two-spotted Bumble Bee | 3,092 |
| Pure Green Sweat bee | 2,390 |
| Ligated Furrow Bee | 2,344 |
| Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee | 1,526 |
In New York, May carries 11.6% of the year's bees sightings, about 3.3 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 (7.4%) into May, and it heads toward June (16.9%) 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 York are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Western Honey Bee and Brown-belted 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 Bee22,965 records
- Western Honey Bee13,616 records
- Brown-belted Bumble Bee7,816 records
- Eastern Carpenter Bee7,302 records
- Two-spotted Bumble Bee3,092 records
- Pure Green Sweat bee2,390 records
Plan your bee trip in New York
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.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bee viewing area in New York.
Viator
Broader backupBook a bee tour in New York
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 York in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 13,403 of the 115,774 verified bees sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 11.6% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bees in New York?+
May is the 5th 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 York?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and June, based on 115,774 verified observations.
Which bees are you most likely to see in New York?+
The most-recorded species in New York are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Western Honey Bee and Brown-belted Bumble Bee, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.