Best Time to See Pelicans in Virginia
March, April and February is the best time to see pelicans in Virginia. Based on 1,415 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when pelicans are most active across the year in Virginia.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Brown Pelican · Clay Gibbons CC BY
Brown Pelican · Laura Mae CC BY
Eastern Brown Pelican · Donald Davesne CC BY
1,415 verified observations of pelicans in Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When pelicans are recorded in Virginia
Peak month
March
195 records (13.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 108 | 7.6% |
| Februarypeak | 133 | 9.4% |
| Marchpeak | 195 | 13.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 147 | 10.4% |
| May | 108 | 7.6% |
| June | 103 | 7.3% |
| July | 105 | 7.4% |
| August | 101 | 7.1% |
| September | 106 | 7.5% |
| October | 90 | 6.4% |
| November | 95 | 6.7% |
| December | 124 | 8.8% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Brown Pelican | 1,248 |
| American White Pelican | 160 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Virginia
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when pelicans are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for pelicans sit around 33 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 47°F | 30°F | 3.2" |
| Febbest time | 52°F | 33°F | 4" |
| Marbest time | 60°F | 39°F | 3" |
| Aprbest time | 70°F | 46°F | 3.9" |
| May | 77°F | 56°F | 3.5" |
| Jun | 86°F | 64°F | 3.1" |
| Jul | 92°F | 70°F | 3.2" |
| Aug | 88°F | 68°F | 3.8" |
| Sep | 82°F | 62°F | 2.9" |
| Oct | 71°F | 52°F | 3.6" |
| Nov | 59°F | 39°F | 3.1" |
| Dec | 52°F | 34°F | 4" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Virginia. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of pelicans in Virginia peak in March, when 195 of the year's 1,415 verified observations are logged — about 13.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through March, April and February.
The quietest stretch is October, November and August, when pelicans are hardest to find — October sees just 90 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The pelicans you are most likely to encounter in Virginia are Brown Pelican and American White Pelican — 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 pelicans in Virginia
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Appomattox Court House National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Assateague Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Blue Ridge Parkway — Parkway
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see pelicans in Virginia?+
March is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through March, April and February, based on 1,415 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are pelicans hardest to see in Virginia?+
October is the quietest month for pelicans in Virginia, with only 90 verified records.
Are pelicans active year-round in Virginia?+
Pelicans are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Virginia, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in March.
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in Virginia