Owls in West Virginia in April

Yes, April is one of the best months to see owls in West Virginia. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 52 of the 522 sightings logged across the year (10%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Snowy Owl photographed in West VirginiaAmerican Barn Owl photographed in West VirginiaShort-eared Owl photographed in West Virginia
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for owls in West Virginia

10%

of yearly sightings

52

records in April

#3

busiest month of 12

522

verified records a year

March 8.2%, April 10%, May 10.9%. Busiest month is June at 12.6%.

Best months: June, May, April

522 verified observations of owls in West Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When owls are recorded in West Virginia

Peak month

June

66 records (12.6% of the year)

Quietest month

February

26 records

MonthObservationsShare
January275.2%
February265%
March438.2%
Aprilpeak5210%
Maypeak5710.9%
Junepeak6612.6%
July468.8%
August448.4%
September366.9%
October326.1%
November489.2%
December458.6%

Owls you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Barred Owl286
Eastern Screech-Owl106
Great Horned Owl54
Snowy Owl18
Northern Saw-whet Owl17
American Barn Owl17
Short-eared Owl11
Long-eared Owl1

In West Virginia, April carries 10% of the year's owls sightings, about 1.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from March (8.2%) into April, and it heads toward May (10.9%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so April is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

The owls most often recorded in West Virginia are Barred Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl and Great Horned 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 Owl286 records
  • Eastern Screech-Owl106 records
  • Great Horned Owl54 records
  • Snowy Owl18 records
  • Northern Saw-whet Owl17 records
  • American Barn Owl17 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

Plan your owl trip in West Virginia

Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see owls in West Virginia in April?+

Yes. April accounts for 52 of the 522 verified owls sightings logged in West Virginia across the year, which is 10% of the annual total.

Is April a good time to see owls in West Virginia?+

April is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, May and April.

What month is best for owls in West Virginia?+

June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, May and April, based on 522 verified observations.

Which owls are you most likely to see in West Virginia?+

The most-recorded species in West Virginia are Barred Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl and Great Horned Owl, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.