Best Time to See Turkey Vultures in Virginia
April, March and May is the best time to see turkey vultures in Virginia. Based on 5,809 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when turkey vultures 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 July 20, 2026.
5,809 verified observations of turkey vultures in Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When turkey vultures are recorded in Virginia
Peak month
April
868 records (14.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 478 | 8.2% |
| February | 518 | 8.9% |
| Marchpeak | 716 | 12.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 868 | 14.9% |
| Maypeak | 608 | 10.5% |
| June | 374 | 6.4% |
| July | 321 | 5.5% |
| August | 318 | 5.5% |
| September | 375 | 6.5% |
| October | 501 | 8.6% |
| November | 342 | 5.9% |
| December | 390 | 6.7% |
Turkey Vultures you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Turkey Vulture | 5,809 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Virginia
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when turkey vultures are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for turkey vultures sit around 39 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 47°F | 30°F | 3.2" |
| Feb | 52°F | 33°F | 4" |
| Marbest time | 60°F | 39°F | 3" |
| Aprbest time | 70°F | 46°F | 3.9" |
| Maybest time | 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 turkey vultures in Virginia peak in April, when 868 of the year's 5,809 verified observations are logged — about 14.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and May.
The quietest stretch is August, July and November, when turkey vultures are hardest to find — August sees just 318 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The turkey vultures you are most likely to encounter in Virginia are Turkey Vulture — 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 turkey vultures 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 turkey vultures in Virginia?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and May, based on 5,809 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are turkey vultures hardest to see in Virginia?+
August is the quietest month for turkey vultures in Virginia, with only 318 verified records.
Are turkey vultures active year-round in Virginia?+
Turkey vultures are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Virginia, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Virginia