Owls in South Dakota in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see owls in South Dakota. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 142 of the 923 sightings logged across the year (15.4%), 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 South Dakota
15.4%
of yearly sightings
142
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
923
verified records a year
April 8.5%, May 15.4%, June 18.1%. Busiest month is June at 18.1%.
923 verified observations of owls in South Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
June
167 records (18.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 37 | 4% |
| February | 31 | 3.4% |
| March | 34 | 3.7% |
| April | 78 | 8.5% |
| Maypeak | 142 | 15.4% |
| Junepeak | 167 | 18.1% |
| Julypeak | 130 | 14.1% |
| August | 59 | 6.4% |
| September | 43 | 4.7% |
| October | 111 | 12% |
| November | 61 | 6.6% |
| December | 30 | 3.3% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Burrowing Owl | 383 |
| Great Horned Owl | 196 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | 150 |
| Short-eared Owl | 67 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 45 |
| Snowy Owl | 42 |
| Long-eared Owl | 20 |
| Barred Owl | 6 |
In South Dakota, May carries 15.4% of the year's owls sightings, about 7.1 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 rising from April (8.5%) into May, and it heads toward June (18.1%) 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 South Dakota are Burrowing Owl, Great Horned Owl and Northern Saw-whet 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
- Burrowing Owl383 records
- Great Horned Owl196 records
- Northern Saw-whet Owl150 records
- Short-eared Owl67 records
- Eastern Screech-Owl45 records
- Snowy Owl42 records
Plan your owl trip in South Dakota
Start with live tours near Badlands National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Badlands National Park
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 Badlands National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best owl viewing area in South Dakota.
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Broader backupBook a owl tour in South Dakota
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 South Dakota in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 142 of the 923 verified owls sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 15.4% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see owls in South Dakota?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, May and July.
What month is best for owls in South Dakota?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, May and July, based on 923 verified observations.
Which owls are you most likely to see in South Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in South Dakota are Burrowing Owl, Great Horned Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owl, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See owls in South Dakota in other months
More places to see owls
More wildlife in South Dakota