Owls in West Virginia in March

Yes, March is a good month to see owls in West Virginia. It is the 8th busiest month of the year, with 43 of the 522 sightings logged across the year (8.2%), 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.

Good month for owls in West Virginia

8.2%

of yearly sightings

43

records in March

#8

busiest month of 12

522

verified records a year

February 5%, March 8.2%, April 10%. 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, March carries 8.2% of the year's owls sightings, about 0.1 points below an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 8th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from February (5%) into March, and it heads toward April (10%) 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 March split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in March 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 March?+

Yes. March accounts for 43 of the 522 verified owls sightings logged in West Virginia across the year, which is 8.2% of the annual total.

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

March is the 8th 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.