Best Time to See Owls in Vermont
February, April and March is the best time to see owls in Vermont. Based on 2,886 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when 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 2, 2026.
2,886 verified observations of owls in Vermont, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in Vermont
Peak month
February
383 records (13.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 328 | 11.4% |
| Februarypeak | 383 | 13.3% |
| Marchpeak | 358 | 12.4% |
| Aprilpeak | 362 | 12.5% |
| May | 305 | 10.6% |
| June | 148 | 5.1% |
| July | 164 | 5.7% |
| August | 107 | 3.7% |
| September | 108 | 3.7% |
| October | 203 | 7% |
| November | 143 | 5% |
| December | 277 | 9.6% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Barred Owl | 1,946 |
| Snowy Owl | 310 |
| Great Horned Owl | 167 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | 147 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 126 |
| Short-eared Owl | 75 |
| Northern Hawk Owl | 30 |
| Long-eared Owl | 21 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Vermont
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 10 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°F | 10°F | 3.3" |
| Febbest time | 29°F | 10°F | 3" |
| Marbest time | 39°F | 20°F | 2.8" |
| Aprbest time | 50°F | 32°F | 4.3" |
| May | 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 owls in Vermont peak in February, when 383 of the year's 2,886 verified observations are logged — about 13.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through February, April and March.
The quietest stretch is August, September and November, when owls are hardest to find — August sees just 107 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 Vermont are Barred Owl, Snowy Owl and 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 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
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see owls in Vermont?+
February is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through February, April and March, based on 2,886 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are owls hardest to see in Vermont?+
August is the quietest month for owls in Vermont, with only 107 verified records.
Are owls active year-round in Vermont?+
Owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Vermont, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in February.
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Vermont