Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in Vermont
April, March and May is the best time to see great horned owls in Vermont. Based on 167 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls are most active across the year in Vermont.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
Great Horned Owl · Bernie Paquette CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Public domain CC0
Great Horned Owl · Shirley Zundell CC BY
167 verified observations of great horned owls in Vermont, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in Vermont
Peak month
April
52 records (31.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 9 | 5.4% |
| February | 12 | 7.2% |
| Marchpeak | 18 | 10.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 52 | 31.1% |
| Maypeak | 16 | 9.6% |
| June | 16 | 9.6% |
| July | 11 | 6.6% |
| August | 6 | 3.6% |
| September | 5 | 3% |
| October | 4 | 2.4% |
| November | 11 | 6.6% |
| December | 7 | 4.2% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 167 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Vermont
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when great horned owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for great horned owls sit around 20 to 63 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°F | 10°F | 3.3" |
| Feb | 29°F | 10°F | 3" |
| Marbest time | 39°F | 20°F | 2.8" |
| Aprbest time | 50°F | 32°F | 4.3" |
| Maybest time | 63°F | 43°F | 3.3" |
| Jun | 72°F | 53°F | 4" |
| Jul | 77°F | 60°F | 6.2" |
| Aug | 75°F | 58°F | 4.1" |
| Sep | 68°F | 51°F | 3.4" |
| Oct | 57°F | 41°F | 5.1" |
| Nov | 42°F | 26°F | 3.3" |
| Dec | 34°F | 20°F | 4.5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Vermont. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great horned owls in Vermont peak in April, when 52 of the year's 167 verified observations are logged — about 31.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and May.
The quietest stretch is October, September and August, when great horned owls are hardest to find — October sees just 4 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The great horned owls you are most likely to encounter in Vermont are Great Horned 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 great horned owls in Vermont
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Marsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Dead Creek WMA IBA
- Missisquoi NWR IBA
- Shelburne Bay
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great horned owls in Vermont?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and May, based on 167 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in Vermont?+
October is the quietest month for great horned owls in Vermont, with only 4 verified records.
Are great horned owls active year-round in Vermont?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Vermont, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Vermont