Masked Shrew (Sorex cinereus) is in the Shrews family (Soricidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,029 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in September.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Masked Shrew: observations by month (U.S.)
About Masked Shrew
The cinereous shrew or masked shrew (Sorex cinereus) is a small shrew found in Alaska, Canada and the northern United States. This is the most widely distributed shrew in North America, where it is also known as the common shrew.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Masked Shrew by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 142 | October | Mar–Dec |
| New York | 84 | July | Apr–Oct |
| Illinois | 76 | September | Aug–Dec |
| Minnesota | 76 | August | Jun–Feb |
| Maine | 74 | August | May–Sep |
| Massachusetts | 56 | April | Mar–Jul |
| New Jersey | 55 | April | Apr–Jun |
| Alaska | 54 | June | Jun–Sep |
| Pennsylvania | 54 | October | Mar–Dec |
| Vermont | 52 | July | May–Sep |
| Wisconsin | 51 | September | Jun–Nov |
| Michigan | 45 | October | Jul–Oct |
| Indiana | 32 | May | Mar–May |
| Maryland | 30 | April | Apr–Nov |
| Iowa | 27 | May | Apr–May |
| Connecticut | 22 | September | Sep–Sep |
| New Hampshire | 15 | June | May–Jun |
| Virginia | 15 | June | May–Jun |
| Nebraska | 12 | October | Jun–Nov |
| Delaware | 11 | January | Sep–Jan |
| North Carolina | 8 | September | Sep–Nov |
| Tennessee | 8 | June | Jun–Aug |
| West Virginia | 7 | June | Apr–Sep |
| Washington | 6 | May | May–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Shrews)
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Masked Shrew?
Nationally, September has the most observations, with the main season from March to December.
Where is Masked Shrew most often seen?
The most observations come from Ohio, New York, Illinois.