Best Time to See Bald Eagles in Washington
April, May and March is the best time to see bald eagles in Washington. Based on 14,804 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bald eagles are most active across the year in Washington.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
14,804 verified observations of bald eagles in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bald eagles are recorded in Washington
Peak month
April
1,983 records (13.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1,655 | 11.2% |
| February | 1,450 | 9.8% |
| Marchpeak | 1,694 | 11.4% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,983 | 13.4% |
| Maypeak | 1,821 | 12.3% |
| June | 1,619 | 10.9% |
| July | 1,257 | 8.5% |
| August | 587 | 4% |
| September | 201 | 1.4% |
| October | 578 | 3.9% |
| November | 864 | 5.8% |
| December | 1,095 | 7.4% |
Bald Eagles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | 14,804 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bald eagles are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bald eagles sit around 28 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35°F | 24°F | 4.5" |
| Feb | 36°F | 22°F | 2.8" |
| Marbest time | 46°F | 28°F | 1.2" |
| Aprbest time | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| Maybest time | 67°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
| Jun | 76°F | 51°F | 0.9" |
| Jul | 86°F | 57°F | 0.2" |
| Aug | 86°F | 58°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 74°F | 50°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 59°F | 39°F | 1.7" |
| Nov | 42°F | 29°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 33°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Washington. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on bald eagles in Washington:
Sightings of bald eagles in Washington peak in April, when 1,983 of the year's 14,804 verified observations are logged — about 13.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and March.
The quietest stretch is September, when bald eagles are hardest to find — September sees just 201 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The bald eagles you are most likely to encounter in Washington are Bald Eagle — 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 bald eagles in Washington
- Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve — National Historical Reserve
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Mount Rainier National Park — National Park
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bald eagles in Washington?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 14,804 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bald eagles hardest to see in Washington?+
September is the quietest month for bald eagles in Washington, with only 201 verified records.
Are bald eagles active year-round in Washington?+
Bald eagles are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see bald eagles
More wildlife in Washington