Best Time to See Mallards in New York
April, May and June is the best time to see mallards in New York. Based on 18,011 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when mallards are most active across the year in New York.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
18,011 verified observations of mallards in New York, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mallards are recorded in New York
Peak month
April
2,933 records (16.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 899 | 5% |
| February | 1,012 | 5.6% |
| March | 1,805 | 10% |
| Aprilpeak | 2,933 | 16.3% |
| Maypeak | 2,235 | 12.4% |
| Junepeak | 1,887 | 10.5% |
| July | 1,460 | 8.1% |
| August | 1,379 | 7.7% |
| September | 1,278 | 7.1% |
| October | 1,204 | 6.7% |
| November | 990 | 5.5% |
| December | 929 | 5.2% |
Mallards you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mallard | 18,011 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New York
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when mallards are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for mallards sit around 34 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°F | 15°F | 3.7" |
| Feb | 32°F | 16°F | 3.6" |
| Mar | 41°F | 23°F | 3.8" |
| Aprbest time | 52°F | 34°F | 4.9" |
| Maybest time | 63°F | 45°F | 3.9" |
| Junbest time | 72°F | 55°F | 3.8" |
| Jul | 77°F | 61°F | 5.3" |
| Aug | 75°F | 60°F | 5.3" |
| Sep | 68°F | 53°F | 3.4" |
| Oct | 58°F | 44°F | 5.1" |
| Nov | 43°F | 30°F | 3.3" |
| Dec | 36°F | 24°F | 4.7" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New York. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of mallards in New York peak in April, when 2,933 of the year's 18,011 verified observations are logged — about 16.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and June.
The quietest stretch is January, December and November, when mallards are hardest to find — January sees just 899 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The mallards you are most likely to encounter in New York are Mallard — 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 mallards in New York
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
- Fire Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Martin Van Buren National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- National Parks of New York Harbor
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see mallards in New York?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and June, based on 18,011 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are mallards hardest to see in New York?+
January is the quietest month for mallards in New York, with only 899 verified records.
Are mallards active year-round in New York?+
Mallards are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New York, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in New York