Best Time to See Hawks in Georgia

April, March and January is the best time to see hawks in Georgia. Based on 10,825 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Georgia.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.

Red-tailed Hawk photographed in Georgia

Red-tailed Hawk · Ethan CC BY

Sharp-shinned Hawk photographed in Georgia

Sharp-shinned Hawk · Joan Knapp CC BY-ND

Snail Kite photographed in Georgia

Snail Kite · mfeaver CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Best months: April, March, January

10,825 verified observations of hawks in Georgia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When hawks are recorded in Georgia

Peak month

April

1,072 records (9.9% of the year)

Quietest month

September

676 records

MonthObservationsShare
Januarypeak1,0069.3%
February9699%
Marchpeak1,0179.4%
Aprilpeak1,0729.9%
May9668.9%
June9588.8%
July8978.3%
August7917.3%
September6766.2%
October8027.4%
November7757.2%
December8968.3%

Hawks you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Red-shouldered Hawk4,277
Red-tailed Hawk2,866
Bald Eagle1,023
Cooper's Hawk999
Mississippi Kite624
Swallow-tailed Kite264
Broad-winged Hawk258
Northern Harrier109

Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo

Typical weather in Georgia

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 41 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.

MonthAvg highAvg lowRain
Janbest time59°F41°F5.4"
Feb64°F45°F3.9"
Marbest time71°F50°F4"
Aprbest time76°F54°F4"
May84°F62°F2.1"
Jun89°F69°F4.2"
Jul92°F73°F3.7"
Aug90°F73°F4.2"
Sep86°F67°F2.7"
Oct77°F58°F2.9"
Nov66°F47°F2.6"
Dec60°F43°F3.8"

Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Georgia. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.

Sightings of hawks in Georgia peak in April, when 1,072 of the year's 10,825 verified observations are logged — about 9.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and January.

The quietest stretch is September, November and August, when hawks are hardest to find — September sees just 676 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 Georgia are Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk and Bald Eagle — 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 Georgia

  • Appalachian National Scenic TrailNational Scenic Trail
  • Chattahoochee River National Recreation AreaNational Recreation Area
  • Cumberland Island National SeashoreNational Seashore
  • Fort Pulaski National MonumentNational Monument
  • Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical ParkNational Historical Park
  • Andersonville National Historic SiteNational Historic Site

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to see hawks in Georgia?+

April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and January, based on 10,825 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are hawks hardest to see in Georgia?+

September is the quietest month for hawks in Georgia, with only 676 verified records.

Are hawks active year-round in Georgia?+

Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Georgia, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.