WhenToBird

Osprey · Pandion haliaetus

When Do Ospreys Arrive in Nevada?

Adult female Osprey
Photo: Bill Levine, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Ospreys reach Nevada in the second week of July, are common by early August, peak in mid April (6.6% of checklists), and most are gone by mid May.

When to look

First arrivalsJul 8-14the second week of July
Common byAug 1-7early August
PeakApr 15-21mid April
Most gone byMay 15-21mid May

Best: mid April. First arrivals the second week of July; most are gone by mid May. Peak: on about 6.6% of Nevada checklists.

  1. Jancommon
  2. Febuncommon
  3. Marcommon
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maycommon
  6. Jununcommon
  7. Juluncommon
  8. Augcommon
  9. Seppeak season
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novcommon
  12. Deccommon

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Ospreys in Nevada, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
OspreyJul 8-14Aug 1-7Apr 15-21May 15-216.6%
0%2%4%6%8%OspreyJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Osprey
Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in Nevada that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in Nevada

Best counties for Osprey

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Lyon CountyBest the second week of August · 54 checklists that week, 3,229 in all19%
  2. Storey CountyBest mid August · 18 checklists that week, 1,593 in all15%
  3. Pershing CountyBest late September · 53 checklists that week, 1,407 in all12%
  4. Douglas CountyBest early August · 139 checklists that week, 7,476 in all11%
  5. Clark CountyBest the second week of September · 1269 checklists that week, 80,458 in all9.9%
  6. Lincoln CountyBest early September · 86 checklists that week, 3,842 in all9.8%

Common questions

When do ospreys arrive in Nevada?
Ospreys reach Nevada in the second week of July, are common by early August, peak in mid April (6.6% of checklists), and most are gone by mid May.
When do ospreys leave Nevada?
Most Ospreys have left Nevada by mid May, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early June.
When is the best time to see ospreys in Nevada?
The Osprey is reported most often in mid April, on about 6.6% of Nevada checklists.