Owls in Washington in April
Yes, April is a good month to see owls in Washington. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 720 of the 8,614 sightings logged across the year (8.4%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for owls in Washington
8.4%
of yearly sightings
720
records in April
#5
busiest month of 12
8,614
verified records a year
March 7%, April 8.4%, May 12%. Busiest month is June at 13.2%.
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 |
In Washington, April carries 8.4% of the year's owls sightings, about 0.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from March (7%) into April, and it heads toward May (12%) after. The busiest month is June (13.2%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The owls most often recorded in Washington are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Short-eared Owl. Those counts are annual totals rather than a April split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in April itself.
Which owls you are most likely to see
- Barred Owl4,378 records
- Great Horned Owl1,929 records
- Short-eared Owl564 records
- American Barn Owl328 records
- Northern Saw-whet Owl279 records
- Northern Pygmy-Owl272 records
Plan your owl trip in Washington
Start with live tours near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main owl viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best owl viewing area in Washington.
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Broader backupBook a owl tour in Washington
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see owls in Washington in April?+
Yes. April accounts for 720 of the 8,614 verified owls sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 8.4% of the annual total.
Is April a good time to see owls in Washington?+
April is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though June and May is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for owls in Washington?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, May and July, based on 8,614 verified observations.
Which owls are you most likely to see in Washington?+
The most-recorded species in Washington are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Short-eared Owl, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See owls in Washington in other months
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Washington