Best Time to See Hawks in Maine
August, July and September is the best time to see hawks in Maine. Based on 5,059 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Maine.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Steller's Sea-Eagle · Matt Felperin CC BY
Steller's Sea-Eagle · er-birds CC BY
Red-tailed Hawk · oksanaetal CC BY
5,059 verified observations of hawks in Maine, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Maine
Peak month
August
764 records (15.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 319 | 6.3% |
| February | 303 | 6% |
| March | 277 | 5.5% |
| April | 395 | 7.8% |
| May | 514 | 10.2% |
| June | 457 | 9% |
| Julypeak | 635 | 12.6% |
| Augustpeak | 764 | 15.1% |
| Septemberpeak | 555 | 11% |
| October | 382 | 7.6% |
| November | 206 | 4.1% |
| December | 252 | 5% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | 2,509 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 718 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 558 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 434 |
| Northern Harrier | 182 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 154 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 145 |
| Steller's Sea-Eagle | 113 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Maine
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 53 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28°F | 11°F | 4" |
| Feb | 28°F | 11°F | 3.1" |
| Mar | 39°F | 20°F | 2.7" |
| Apr | 51°F | 32°F | 4.8" |
| May | 64°F | 43°F | 3.2" |
| Jun | 74°F | 54°F | 3.7" |
| Julbest time | 80°F | 62°F | 4.9" |
| Augbest time | 77°F | 60°F | 4.7" |
| Sepbest time | 69°F | 53°F | 4.4" |
| Oct | 58°F | 43°F | 5.3" |
| Nov | 43°F | 29°F | 3.8" |
| Dec | 34°F | 20°F | 5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Maine. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in Maine:
Sightings of hawks in Maine peak in August, when 764 of the year's 5,059 verified observations are logged — about 15.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through August, July and September.
The quietest stretch is November, December and March, when hawks are hardest to find — November sees just 206 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 Maine are Bald Eagle, Broad-winged Hawk 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 Maine
- Acadia National Park — National Park
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument — National Monument
- Saint Croix Island International Historic Site — International Historic Site
- Frances Perkins National Monument — National Monument
- Maine Acadian Culture
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Maine?+
August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, July and September, based on 5,059 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Maine?+
November is the quietest month for hawks in Maine, with only 206 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Maine?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Maine, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in August.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Maine