Best Time to See Ring Billed Gulls in Washington
September, December and October is the best time to see ring billed gulls in Washington. Based on 2,536 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when ring billed gulls 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.
Ring-billed Gull · Daughter Dad CC BY
Ring-billed Gull · Matthew Cozart CC BY-ND
Ring-billed Gull · Matthew Cozart CC BY-ND
2,536 verified observations of ring billed gulls in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When ring billed gulls are recorded in Washington
Peak month
September
337 records (13.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 264 | 10.4% |
| February | 154 | 6.1% |
| March | 163 | 6.4% |
| April | 122 | 4.8% |
| May | 179 | 7.1% |
| June | 97 | 3.8% |
| July | 171 | 6.7% |
| August | 233 | 9.2% |
| Septemberpeak | 337 | 13.3% |
| Octoberpeak | 291 | 11.5% |
| November | 230 | 9.1% |
| Decemberpeak | 295 | 11.6% |
Ring Billed Gulls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Ring-billed Gull | 2,536 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when ring billed gulls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for ring billed gulls sit around 23 to 74 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" |
| May | 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" |
| Sepbest time | 74°F | 50°F | 1.1" |
| Octbest time | 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 ring billed gulls in Washington peak in September, when 337 of the year's 2,536 verified observations are logged — about 13.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through September, December and October.
The quietest stretch is June and April, when ring billed gulls are hardest to find — June sees just 97 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The ring billed gulls you are most likely to encounter in Washington are Ring-billed Gull — 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 ring billed gulls 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 ring billed gulls in Washington?+
September is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through September, December and October, based on 2,536 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are ring billed gulls hardest to see in Washington?+
June is the quietest month for ring billed gulls in Washington, with only 97 verified records.
Are ring billed gulls active year-round in Washington?+
Ring billed gulls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in September.
More wildlife in Washington