Squirrels in New York in April

Yes, April is one of the best months to see squirrels in New York. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 6,164 of the 42,378 sightings logged across the year (14.5%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Eastern Gray Squirrel photographed in New YorkEastern Gray Squirrel photographed in New YorkEastern Gray Squirrel photographed in New York
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for squirrels in New York

14.5%

of yearly sightings

6,164

records in April

#1

busiest month of 12

42,378

verified records a year

March 6.8%, April 14.5%, May 13.4%. Busiest month is April at 14.5%.

Best months: April, May, September

42,378 verified observations of squirrels in New York, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When squirrels are recorded in New York

Peak month

April

6,164 records (14.5% of the year)

Quietest month

January

1,720 records

MonthObservationsShare
January1,7204.1%
February1,7494.1%
March2,8726.8%
Aprilpeak6,16414.5%
Maypeak5,69713.4%
June4,63310.9%
July3,3667.9%
August2,9116.9%
Septemberpeak4,72811.2%
October4,1799.9%
November2,3345.5%
December2,0254.8%

Squirrels you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Eastern Gray Squirrel25,573
Eastern Chipmunk7,891
Groundhog5,343
American Red Squirrel2,683
Southern Flying Squirrel288
Northern Flying Squirrel62
Eastern Fox Squirrel34

In New York, April carries 14.5% of the year's squirrels sightings, about 6.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from March (6.8%) into April, and it heads toward May (13.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so April is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

The squirrels most often recorded in New York are Eastern Gray Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk and Groundhog. Those counts are annual totals rather than a April split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in April itself.

Which squirrels you are most likely to see

  • Eastern Gray Squirrel25,573 records
  • Eastern Chipmunk7,891 records
  • Groundhog5,343 records
  • American Red Squirrel2,683 records
  • Southern Flying Squirrel288 records
  • Northern Flying Squirrel62 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

Plan your squirrel 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.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see squirrels in New York in April?+

Yes. April accounts for 6,164 of the 42,378 verified squirrels sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 14.5% of the annual total.

Is April a good time to see squirrels in New York?+

April is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and September.

What month is best for squirrels in New York?+

April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and September, based on 42,378 verified observations.

Which squirrels are you most likely to see in New York?+

The most-recorded species in New York are Eastern Gray Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk and Groundhog, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.