Owls in West Virginia in August
Yes, August is a good month to see owls in West Virginia. It is the 7th busiest month of the year, with 44 of the 522 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 West Virginia
8.4%
of yearly sightings
44
records in August
#7
busiest month of 12
522
verified records a year
July 8.8%, August 8.4%, September 6.9%. Busiest month is June at 12.6%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 27 | 5.2% |
| February | 26 | 5% |
| March | 43 | 8.2% |
| Aprilpeak | 52 | 10% |
| Maypeak | 57 | 10.9% |
| Junepeak | 66 | 12.6% |
| July | 46 | 8.8% |
| August | 44 | 8.4% |
| September | 36 | 6.9% |
| October | 32 | 6.1% |
| November | 48 | 9.2% |
| December | 45 | 8.6% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Barred Owl | 286 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 106 |
| Great Horned Owl | 54 |
| Snowy Owl | 18 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | 17 |
| American Barn Owl | 17 |
| Short-eared Owl | 11 |
| Long-eared Owl | 1 |
In West Virginia, August carries 8.4% of the year's owls sightings, about 0.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 7th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between July and August, and it heads toward September (6.9%) after. The busiest month is June (12.6%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
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 August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August 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 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.
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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
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 Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best owl viewing area in West Virginia.
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Broader backupBook a owl tour in West Virginia
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 West Virginia in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 44 of the 522 verified owls sightings logged in West Virginia across the year, which is 8.4% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see owls in West Virginia?+
August is the 7th busiest month. It is workable, though June and May is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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.
See owls in West Virginia in other months
More places to see owls
More wildlife in West Virginia