Best Time to See Mourning Doves in Washington
May, April and June is the best time to see mourning doves in Washington. Based on 1,514 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when mourning doves 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.
Mourning Dove · Gavin Slater CC BY
Mourning Dove · Gavin Slater CC BY
Mourning Dove · Gavin Slater CC BY
1,514 verified observations of mourning doves in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mourning doves are recorded in Washington
Peak month
May
281 records (18.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 62 | 4.1% |
| February | 49 | 3.2% |
| March | 114 | 7.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 228 | 15.1% |
| Maypeak | 281 | 18.6% |
| Junepeak | 219 | 14.5% |
| July | 148 | 9.8% |
| August | 143 | 9.4% |
| September | 111 | 7.3% |
| October | 58 | 3.8% |
| November | 57 | 3.8% |
| December | 44 | 2.9% |
Mourning Doves you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | 1,514 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when mourning doves are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for mourning doves sit around 33 to 76 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" |
| Junbest time | 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.
Sightings of mourning doves in Washington peak in May, when 281 of the year's 1,514 verified observations are logged — about 18.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and June.
The quietest stretch is December, February and November, when mourning doves are hardest to find — December sees just 44 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The mourning doves you are most likely to encounter in Washington are Mourning Dove — 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 mourning doves 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 mourning doves in Washington?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and June, based on 1,514 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are mourning doves hardest to see in Washington?+
December is the quietest month for mourning doves in Washington, with only 44 verified records.
Are mourning doves active year-round in Washington?+
Mourning doves are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in Washington