Pelicans in Virginia in March
Yes, March is one of the best months to see pelicans in Virginia. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 195 of the 1,415 sightings logged across the year (13.8%), 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 pelicans in Virginia
13.8%
of yearly sightings
195
records in March
#1
busiest month of 12
1,415
verified records a year
February 9.4%, March 13.8%, April 10.4%. Busiest month is March at 13.8%.
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 |
In Virginia, March carries 13.8% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 5.5 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from February (9.4%) into March, and it heads toward April (10.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so March is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The pelicans most often recorded in Virginia are Brown Pelican and American White Pelican. 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 pelicans you are most likely to see
- Brown Pelican1,248 records
- American White Pelican160 records
Plan your pelican 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 pelican viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best pelican viewing area in Virginia.
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Broader backupBook a pelican tour in Virginia
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see pelicans in Virginia in March?+
Yes. March accounts for 195 of the 1,415 verified pelicans sightings logged in Virginia across the year, which is 13.8% of the annual total.
Is March a good time to see pelicans in Virginia?+
March is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of March, April and February.
What month is best for pelicans in Virginia?+
March is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through March, April and February, based on 1,415 verified observations.
Which pelicans are you most likely to see in Virginia?+
The most-recorded species in Virginia are Brown Pelican and American White Pelican, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See pelicans in Virginia in other months
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in Virginia