Hawks in Maine in May
Yes, May is a good month to see hawks in Maine. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 514 of the 5,059 sightings logged across the year (10.2%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for hawks in Maine
10.2%
of yearly sightings
514
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
5,059
verified records a year
April 7.8%, May 10.2%, June 9%. Busiest month is August at 15.1%.
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 |
In Maine, May carries 10.2% of the year's hawks sightings, about 1.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (7.8%) into May, and it heads toward June (9%) after. The busiest month is August (15.1%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The hawks most often recorded in Maine are Bald Eagle, Broad-winged Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which hawks you are most likely to see
- Bald Eagle2,509 records
- Broad-winged Hawk718 records
- Red-tailed Hawk558 records
- Cooper's Hawk434 records
- Northern Harrier182 records
- Red-shouldered Hawk154 records
Plan your hawk trip in Maine
Start with live tours near Acadia National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Acadia National Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main hawk viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Acadia National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best hawk viewing area in Maine.
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Broader backupBook a hawk tour in Maine
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see hawks in Maine in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 514 of the 5,059 verified hawks sightings logged in Maine across the year, which is 10.2% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see hawks in Maine?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though August and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for hawks in Maine?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, July and September, based on 5,059 verified observations.
Which hawks are you most likely to see in Maine?+
The most-recorded species in Maine are Bald Eagle, Broad-winged Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hawks in Maine in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Maine