Owls in Vermont in December
Yes, December is a good month to see owls in Vermont. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 277 of the 2,886 sightings logged across the year (9.6%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Good month for owls in Vermont
9.6%
of yearly sightings
277
records in December
#6
busiest month of 12
2,886
verified records a year
November 5%, December 9.6%, January 11.4%. Busiest month is February at 13.3%.
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 |
In Vermont, December carries 9.6% of the year's owls sightings, about 1.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from November (5%) into December, and it heads toward January (11.4%) after. The busiest month is February (13.3%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The owls most often recorded in Vermont are Barred Owl, Snowy Owl and Great Horned Owl. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which owls you are most likely to see
- Barred Owl1,946 records
- Snowy Owl310 records
- Great Horned Owl167 records
- Northern Saw-whet Owl147 records
- Eastern Screech-Owl126 records
- Short-eared Owl75 records
Plan your owl trip in Vermont
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.
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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 Vermont.
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Broader backupBook a owl tour in Vermont
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 Vermont in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 277 of the 2,886 verified owls sightings logged in Vermont across the year, which is 9.6% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see owls in Vermont?+
December is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though February and April is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for owls in Vermont?+
February is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through February, April and March, based on 2,886 verified observations.
Which owls are you most likely to see in Vermont?+
The most-recorded species in Vermont are Barred Owl, Snowy Owl and Great Horned Owl, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See owls in Vermont in other months
More places to see owls