Owls in Virginia in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see owls in Virginia. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 666 of the 4,530 sightings logged across the year (14.7%), 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 Virginia
14.7%
of yearly sightings
666
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
4,530
verified records a year
April 17.3%, May 14.7%, June 10.8%. 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, May carries 14.7% of the year's owls sightings, about 6.4 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 easing off from April (17.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (10.8%) 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 Virginia are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Eastern Screech-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
- 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.
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Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best owl viewing area in Virginia.
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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 May?+
Yes. May accounts for 666 of the 4,530 verified owls sightings logged in Virginia across the year, which is 14.7% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see owls in Virginia?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and June.
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