Best Time to See Mallards in Washington
April, May and December is the best time to see mallards in Washington. Based on 21,981 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when mallards 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 July 20, 2026.
21,981 verified observations of mallards in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mallards are recorded in Washington
Peak month
April
2,978 records (13.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1,411 | 6.4% |
| February | 1,223 | 5.6% |
| March | 2,194 | 10% |
| Aprilpeak | 2,978 | 13.5% |
| Maypeak | 2,767 | 12.6% |
| June | 2,117 | 9.6% |
| July | 1,771 | 8.1% |
| August | 1,153 | 5.2% |
| September | 1,083 | 4.9% |
| October | 1,420 | 6.5% |
| November | 1,398 | 6.4% |
| Decemberpeak | 2,466 | 11.2% |
Mallards you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mallard | 21,981 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when mallards are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for mallards sit around 23 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" |
| Mar | 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" |
| Decbest time | 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.
Sightings of mallards in Washington peak in April, when 2,978 of the year's 21,981 verified observations are logged — about 13.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and December.
The quietest stretch is September, August and February, when mallards are hardest to find — September sees just 1,083 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The mallards you are most likely to encounter in Washington are Mallard — 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 mallards 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
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see mallards in Washington?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and December, based on 21,981 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are mallards hardest to see in Washington?+
September is the quietest month for mallards in Washington, with only 1,083 verified records.
Are mallards active year-round in Washington?+
Mallards are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Washington