Owls in Washington in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see owls in Washington. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 1,035 of the 8,614 sightings logged across the year (12%), 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.
Peak month for owls in Washington
12%
of yearly sightings
1,035
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
8,614
verified records a year
April 8.4%, May 12%, June 13.2%. 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, May carries 12% of the year's owls sightings, about 3.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (8.4%) into May, and it heads toward June (13.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
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 May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May 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 May?+
Yes. May accounts for 1,035 of the 8,614 verified owls sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 12% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see owls in Washington?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, May and July.
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