Owls in Pennsylvania in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see owls in Pennsylvania. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 400 of the 3,740 sightings logged across the year (10.7%), 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.
Peak month for owls in Pennsylvania
10.7%
of yearly sightings
400
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
3,740
verified records a year
April 12.3%, May 10.7%, June 7.4%. Busiest month is April at 12.3%.
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 |
In Pennsylvania, May carries 10.7% of the year's owls sightings, about 2.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (12.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (7.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The owls most often recorded in Pennsylvania are Great Horned Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl and Barred Owl. 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 owls you are most likely to see
- Great Horned Owl1,246 records
- Eastern Screech-Owl1,065 records
- Barred Owl811 records
- Northern Saw-whet Owl144 records
- Short-eared Owl143 records
- Snowy Owl109 records
Plan your owl trip in Pennsylvania
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 owl viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best owl viewing area in Pennsylvania.
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Broader backupBook a owl tour in Pennsylvania
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see owls in Pennsylvania in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 400 of the 3,740 verified owls sightings logged in Pennsylvania across the year, which is 10.7% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see owls in Pennsylvania?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and March.
What month is best for owls in Pennsylvania?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and March, based on 3,740 verified observations.
Which owls are you most likely to see in Pennsylvania?+
The most-recorded species in Pennsylvania are Great Horned Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl and Barred Owl, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See owls in Pennsylvania in other months
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Pennsylvania