Best Time to See Owls in Pennsylvania
April, May and March is the best time to see owls in Pennsylvania. Based on 3,740 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when owls are most active across the year in Pennsylvania.
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 · George Pushkal CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Bill Keim CC BY
Northern Hawk Owl · Ali Campbell CC BY
3,740 verified observations of owls in Pennsylvania, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in Pennsylvania
Peak month
April
461 records (12.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 355 | 9.5% |
| February | 369 | 9.9% |
| Marchpeak | 372 | 9.9% |
| Aprilpeak | 461 | 12.3% |
| Maypeak | 400 | 10.7% |
| June | 275 | 7.4% |
| July | 259 | 6.9% |
| August | 263 | 7% |
| September | 261 | 7% |
| October | 222 | 5.9% |
| November | 244 | 6.5% |
| December | 259 | 6.9% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 1,246 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 1,065 |
| Barred Owl | 811 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | 144 |
| Short-eared Owl | 143 |
| Snowy Owl | 109 |
| Long-eared Owl | 69 |
| American Barn Owl | 22 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Pennsylvania
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 31 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38°F | 23°F | 3.1" |
| Feb | 41°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
| Marbest time | 50°F | 31°F | 3.3" |
| Aprbest time | 60°F | 40°F | 4.1" |
| Maybest time | 70°F | 49°F | 4.1" |
| Jun | 79°F | 59°F | 3.9" |
| Jul | 86°F | 65°F | 3.2" |
| Aug | 84°F | 64°F | 4.3" |
| Sep | 75°F | 57°F | 3.9" |
| Oct | 64°F | 47°F | 4" |
| Nov | 51°F | 35°F | 2.4" |
| Dec | 43°F | 29°F | 4.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Pennsylvania. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on owls in Pennsylvania:
Sightings of owls in Pennsylvania peak in April, when 461 of the year's 3,740 verified observations are logged — about 12.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and March.
The quietest stretch is October, November and July, when owls are hardest to find — October sees just 222 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 Pennsylvania are Great Horned Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl and Barred 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 Pennsylvania
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Fort Necessity National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Friendship Hill National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see owls in Pennsylvania?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 3,740 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are owls hardest to see in Pennsylvania?+
October is the quietest month for owls in Pennsylvania, with only 222 verified records.
Are owls active year-round in Pennsylvania?+
Owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Pennsylvania, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Pennsylvania