Best Time to See Owls in North Dakota
May, April and December is the best time to see owls in North Dakota. Based on 336 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when owls are most active across the year in North Dakota.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Great Horned Owl · Public domain CC0
Short-eared Owl · Kimberly Emerson CC BY-ND
Great Horned Owl · Sandra Keller CC BY
336 verified observations of owls in North Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in North Dakota
Peak month
May
56 records (16.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 23 | 6.8% |
| February | 23 | 6.8% |
| March | 29 | 8.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 47 | 14% |
| Maypeak | 56 | 16.7% |
| June | 27 | 8% |
| July | 33 | 9.8% |
| August | 12 | 3.6% |
| September | 6 | 1.8% |
| October | 13 | 3.9% |
| November | 32 | 9.5% |
| Decemberpeak | 35 | 10.4% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 138 |
| Snowy Owl | 51 |
| Short-eared Owl | 38 |
| Burrowing Owl | 31 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | 21 |
| Long-eared Owl | 19 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 14 |
| Barred Owl | 13 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in North Dakota
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for owls sit around 11 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21°F | 6°F | 0.7" |
| Feb | 18°F | 1°F | 0.7" |
| Mar | 34°F | 17°F | 0.7" |
| Aprbest time | 46°F | 28°F | 2.1" |
| Maybest time | 64°F | 43°F | 2.3" |
| Jun | 77°F | 57°F | 2.8" |
| Jul | 80°F | 61°F | 2" |
| Aug | 79°F | 60°F | 2" |
| Sep | 71°F | 52°F | 2.3" |
| Oct | 51°F | 36°F | 2.4" |
| Nov | 37°F | 23°F | 1" |
| Decbest time | 25°F | 11°F | 1.2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for North Dakota. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on owls in North Dakota:
Sightings of owls in North Dakota peak in May, when 56 of the year's 336 verified observations are logged — about 16.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and December.
The quietest stretch is September, when owls are hardest to find — September sees just 6 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The owls you are most likely to encounter in North Dakota are Great Horned Owl, Snowy Owl and Short-eared 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 owls in North Dakota
- Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park — National Park
- Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Arrowwood NWR (general)
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see owls in North Dakota?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and December, based on 336 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are owls hardest to see in North Dakota?+
September is the quietest month for owls in North Dakota, with only 6 verified records.
Are owls active year-round in North Dakota?+
Owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in North Dakota, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see owls
More wildlife in North Dakota