Best Time to See Owls in Washington
June, May and July is the best time to see owls in Washington. Based on 8,614 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when owls 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.
8,614 verified observations of owls in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in Washington
Peak month
June
1,137 records (13.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 588 | 6.8% |
| February | 566 | 6.6% |
| March | 603 | 7% |
| April | 720 | 8.4% |
| Maypeak | 1,035 | 12% |
| Junepeak | 1,137 | 13.2% |
| Julypeak | 902 | 10.5% |
| August | 815 | 9.5% |
| September | 601 | 7% |
| October | 583 | 6.8% |
| November | 553 | 6.4% |
| December | 511 | 5.9% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Barred Owl | 4,378 |
| Great Horned Owl | 1,929 |
| Short-eared Owl | 564 |
| American Barn Owl | 328 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | 279 |
| Northern Pygmy-Owl | 272 |
| Snowy Owl | 179 |
| Western Screech-Owl | 146 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for owls sit around 44 to 86 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" |
| Apr | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| Maybest time | 67°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
| Junbest time | 76°F | 51°F | 0.9" |
| Julbest time | 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 owls in Washington:
Sightings of owls in Washington peak in June, when 1,137 of the year's 8,614 verified observations are logged — about 13.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, May and July.
The quietest stretch is December, November and February, when owls are hardest to find — December sees just 511 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The owls you are most likely to encounter in Washington are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Short-eared Owl — 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 owls 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 owls in Washington?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, May and July, based on 8,614 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are owls hardest to see in Washington?+
December is the quietest month for owls in Washington, with only 511 verified records.
Are owls active year-round in Washington?+
Owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Washington