Owls in Virginia in March
Yes, March is a good month to see owls in Virginia. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 434 of the 4,530 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 June 28, 2026.
Good month for owls in Virginia
9.6%
of yearly sightings
434
records in March
#4
busiest month of 12
4,530
verified records a year
February 6.9%, March 9.6%, April 17.3%. Busiest month is April at 17.3%.
4,530 verified observations of owls in Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in Virginia
Peak month
April
785 records (17.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 327 | 7.2% |
| February | 314 | 6.9% |
| March | 434 | 9.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 785 | 17.3% |
| Maypeak | 666 | 14.7% |
| Junepeak | 488 | 10.8% |
| July | 308 | 6.8% |
| August | 252 | 5.6% |
| September | 223 | 4.9% |
| October | 211 | 4.7% |
| November | 244 | 5.4% |
| December | 278 | 6.1% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Barred Owl | 2,807 |
| Great Horned Owl | 789 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 564 |
| American Barn Owl | 103 |
| Short-eared Owl | 71 |
| Snowy Owl | 66 |
| Long-eared Owl | 37 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | 19 |
In Virginia, March carries 9.6% of the year's owls sightings, about 1.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from February (6.9%) into March, and it heads toward April (17.3%) after. The busiest month is April (17.3%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The owls most often recorded in Virginia are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Eastern Screech-Owl. Those counts are annual totals rather than a March split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in March itself.
Which owls you are most likely to see
- Barred Owl2,807 records
- Great Horned Owl789 records
- Eastern Screech-Owl564 records
- American Barn Owl103 records
- Short-eared Owl71 records
- Snowy Owl66 records
Plan your owl trip in Virginia
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.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best owl viewing area in Virginia.
Viator
Broader backupBook a owl tour in Virginia
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 Virginia in March?+
Yes. March accounts for 434 of the 4,530 verified owls sightings logged in Virginia across the year, which is 9.6% of the annual total.
Is March a good time to see owls in Virginia?+
March is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though April and May is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for owls in Virginia?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and June, based on 4,530 verified observations.
Which owls are you most likely to see in Virginia?+
The most-recorded species in Virginia are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Eastern Screech-Owl, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See owls in Virginia in other months
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Virginia