Hawks in Massachusetts: Where to See Them and How to Identify Them

Massachusetts offers several reliable hawk-watching locations. The Mount Tom Range in Holyoke is a famous hawk migration hotspot, with counts of over 10,000 raptors each fall. Wachusett Mountain in Princeton and Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island also host regular sightings. For daily viewing, try Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord or Quabbin Reservoir in central Massachusetts. Coastal areas like Cape Ann and Martha's Vineyard see many migrating Broad-winged Hawks and Cooper’s Hawks in September.

Fall migration (mid-August through October) is the best time for hawk watching, especially in the western ridgelines. Spring migration (March to May) is also productive but less concentrated. On any given day, hawks are most active between 9 AM and 2 PM when thermals develop. Clear, breezy days with northwest winds after a cold front often push large numbers of Broad-winged Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks south. In summer, early mornings are best for observing resident Red-tails and Red-shouldered Hawks hunting.

Start with the most common: Red-tailed Hawk has a pale belly band and a brick-red tail (adults). Red-shouldered Hawk shows strong black-and-white checkered wings and a reddish breast. Cooper’s Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk are accipiters: Cooper’s is larger with a rounded tail; Sharp-shinned is smaller with a square tail. Broad-winged Hawk is compact with broad wings and a single thick white tail band. Northern Harrier flies low with a distinct white rump patch. Use a field guide or check out our hawk identification page for detailed comparison photos.

See our state animal guide for the next step.

Bring binoculars (8x or 10x), a field guide, and water. A hat and sunscreen help during long stakeouts. A notebook is useful for noting patterns. If you want to keep the experience close to heart, consider a hawk-themed T-shirt or a sticker set to mark your sightings. Check our bird art prints for wall-ready identification charts.

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The Massachusetts Audubon Society runs hawk watches at Mount Tom and other sites. The Hawk Migration Association of North America lists local counts. For a self-guided tour, visit Massachusetts wildlife resources for maps and seasonal tips. Also check local birding clubs like the Brookline Bird Club for organized outings.