Best Time to See Hawks in Alaska
June, July and August is the best time to see hawks in Alaska. Based on 7,869 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Alaska.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
American Goshawk · Matt Muir CC BY
American Goshawk · Matt Muir CC BY
American Goshawk · Matt Muir CC BY
7,869 verified observations of hawks in Alaska, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Alaska
Peak month
June
1,584 records (20.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 200 | 2.5% |
| February | 243 | 3.1% |
| March | 342 | 4.3% |
| April | 574 | 7.3% |
| May | 1,063 | 13.5% |
| Junepeak | 1,584 | 20.1% |
| Julypeak | 1,457 | 18.5% |
| Augustpeak | 1,165 | 14.8% |
| September | 612 | 7.8% |
| October | 239 | 3% |
| November | 216 | 2.7% |
| December | 174 | 2.2% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | 6,709 |
| Golden Eagle | 220 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 202 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 199 |
| Northern Harrier | 195 |
| American Goshawk | 176 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 115 |
| White-tailed Eagle | 13 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Alaska
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when hawks are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for hawks sit around 50 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20°F | 11°F | 1.8" |
| Feb | 24°F | 14°F | 2.4" |
| Mar | 33°F | 19°F | 1.7" |
| Apr | 44°F | 27°F | 1.3" |
| May | 58°F | 41°F | 1.8" |
| Junbest time | 67°F | 50°F | 1.2" |
| Julbest time | 69°F | 54°F | 3.5" |
| Augbest time | 66°F | 52°F | 4.5" |
| Sep | 55°F | 43°F | 5.2" |
| Oct | 42°F | 32°F | 3.7" |
| Nov | 27°F | 18°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 22°F | 12°F | 3.1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Alaska. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of hawks in Alaska peak in June, when 1,584 of the year's 7,869 verified observations are logged — about 20.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and August.
The quietest stretch is December, January and November, when hawks are hardest to find — December sees just 174 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The hawks you are most likely to encounter in Alaska are Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle and Red-tailed Hawk — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see hawks in Alaska
- Alagnak Wild River — Wild River
- Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area — National Historic Area
- Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve — National Monument & Preserve
- Bering Land Bridge National Preserve — National Preserve
- Cape Krusenstern National Monument — National Monument
- Denali National Park & Preserve — National Park & Preserve
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Alaska?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and August, based on 7,869 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Alaska?+
December is the quietest month for hawks in Alaska, with only 174 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Alaska?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Alaska, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Alaska