Best Time to See Hawks in Delaware
March, January and February is the best time to see hawks in Delaware. Based on 4,154 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Delaware.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Cooper's Hawk · Cynthia McLain CC BY
Red-tailed Hawk · Amanda Janusz CC BY
Bald Eagle · Amanda Janusz CC BY
4,154 verified observations of hawks in Delaware, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Delaware
Peak month
March
524 records (12.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 518 | 12.5% |
| Februarypeak | 459 | 11% |
| Marchpeak | 524 | 12.6% |
| April | 384 | 9.2% |
| May | 269 | 6.5% |
| June | 143 | 3.4% |
| July | 125 | 3% |
| August | 165 | 4% |
| September | 334 | 8% |
| October | 437 | 10.5% |
| November | 364 | 8.8% |
| December | 432 | 10.4% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | 1,765 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 679 |
| Northern Harrier | 608 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 458 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 385 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 110 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 67 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 10 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Delaware
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 32 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 44°F | 32°F | 2.9" |
| Febbest time | 47°F | 33°F | 3.8" |
| Marbest time | 54°F | 39°F | 3.8" |
| Apr | 63°F | 48°F | 4.5" |
| May | 70°F | 56°F | 3.9" |
| Jun | 79°F | 66°F | 3.9" |
| Jul | 86°F | 73°F | 6" |
| Aug | 83°F | 72°F | 5.1" |
| Sep | 77°F | 65°F | 4.3" |
| Oct | 68°F | 55°F | 4.4" |
| Nov | 56°F | 43°F | 2.8" |
| Dec | 48°F | 36°F | 4.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Delaware. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in Delaware:
Sightings of hawks in Delaware peak in March, when 524 of the year's 4,154 verified observations are logged — about 12.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through March, January and February.
The quietest stretch is July, June and August, when hawks are hardest to find — July sees just 125 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 Delaware are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Northern Harrier — 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 Delaware
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
- First State National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Cape Henlopen State Park
- Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Delaware?+
March is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through March, January and February, based on 4,154 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Delaware?+
July is the quietest month for hawks in Delaware, with only 125 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Delaware?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Delaware, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in March.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Delaware