Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in West Virginia
April, March and February is the best time to see great horned owls in West Virginia. Based on 55 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls are most active across the year in West Virginia.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
Great Horned Owl · lclair1344 CC BY
55 verified observations of great horned owls in West Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in West Virginia
Peak month
April
14 records (25.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | 1.8% |
| Februarypeak | 5 | 9.1% |
| Marchpeak | 8 | 14.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 14 | 25.5% |
| May | 1 | 1.8% |
| June | 5 | 9.1% |
| July | 2 | 3.6% |
| August | 4 | 7.3% |
| September | 4 | 7.3% |
| October | 2 | 3.6% |
| November | 5 | 9.1% |
| December | 4 | 7.3% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 55 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in West Virginia
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when great horned owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for great horned owls sit around 28 to 61 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 41°F | 26°F | 4.8" |
| Febbest time | 46°F | 28°F | 5.5" |
| Marbest time | 54°F | 34°F | 4.5" |
| Aprbest time | 61°F | 41°F | 4.4" |
| May | 69°F | 51°F | 6.5" |
| Jun | 76°F | 59°F | 5.3" |
| Jul | 81°F | 65°F | 5.1" |
| Aug | 78°F | 63°F | 4.9" |
| Sep | 74°F | 57°F | 3.5" |
| Oct | 64°F | 48°F | 4.1" |
| Nov | 52°F | 35°F | 2.9" |
| Dec | 46°F | 31°F | 4.9" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for West Virginia. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great horned owls in West Virginia peak in April, when 14 of the year's 55 verified observations are logged — about 25.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and February.
The quietest stretch is January and May, when great horned owls are hardest to find — January sees just 1 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The great horned owls you are most likely to encounter in West Virginia are Great Horned 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 great horned owls in West Virginia
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Bluestone National Scenic River — National Scenic River
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Chesapeake Bay
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- New River Gorge National Park & Preserve — National Park & Preserve
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great horned owls in West Virginia?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and February, based on 55 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in West Virginia?+
January is the quietest month for great horned owls in West Virginia, with only 1 verified records.
Are great horned owls active year-round in West Virginia?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in West Virginia, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in West Virginia