Hawks in Maine in September

Yes, September is one of the best months to see hawks in Maine. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 555 of the 5,059 sightings logged across the year (11%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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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 photographed in MaineBroad-winged Hawk photographed in MaineSteller's Sea-Eagle photographed in Maine
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for hawks in Maine

11%

of yearly sightings

555

records in September

#3

busiest month of 12

5,059

verified records a year

August 15.1%, September 11%, October 7.6%. Busiest month is August at 15.1%.

Best months: August, July, SeptemberPeak season right now

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)

Quietest month

November

206 records

MonthObservationsShare
January3196.3%
February3036%
March2775.5%
April3957.8%
May51410.2%
June4579%
Julypeak63512.6%
Augustpeak76415.1%
Septemberpeak55511%
October3827.6%
November2064.1%
December2525%

Hawks you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Bald Eagle2,509
Broad-winged Hawk718
Red-tailed Hawk558
Cooper's Hawk434
Northern Harrier182
Red-shouldered Hawk154
Sharp-shinned Hawk145
Steller's Sea-Eagle113

In Maine, September carries 11% of the year's hawks sightings, about 2.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from August (15.1%) into September, and it heads toward October (7.6%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so September is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

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 September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September 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 tripAcadia National Park

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.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see hawks in Maine in September?+

Yes. September accounts for 555 of the 5,059 verified hawks sightings logged in Maine across the year, which is 11% of the annual total.

Is September a good time to see hawks in Maine?+

September is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of August, July and September.

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.