Best Time to See Hawks in Maryland
January, February and March is the best time to see hawks in Maryland. Based on 24,176 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Maryland.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Bald Eagle · Matt Felperin CC BY
Red-shouldered Hawk · Public domain CC0
Red-tailed Hawk · Public domain CC0
24,176 verified observations of hawks in Maryland, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Maryland
Peak month
January
2,955 records (12.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 2,955 | 12.2% |
| Februarypeak | 2,627 | 10.9% |
| Marchpeak | 2,570 | 10.6% |
| April | 2,480 | 10.3% |
| May | 1,685 | 7% |
| June | 1,075 | 4.4% |
| July | 905 | 3.7% |
| August | 1,133 | 4.7% |
| September | 1,849 | 7.6% |
| October | 2,120 | 8.8% |
| November | 2,306 | 9.5% |
| December | 2,471 | 10.2% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | 8,352 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 6,533 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 3,597 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 2,888 |
| Northern Harrier | 750 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 639 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 601 |
| Mississippi Kite | 184 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Maryland
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 30 to 56 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 44°F | 30°F | 3.3" |
| Febbest time | 48°F | 31°F | 3.9" |
| Marbest time | 56°F | 37°F | 3.9" |
| Apr | 66°F | 45°F | 4.7" |
| May | 73°F | 54°F | 4.7" |
| Jun | 83°F | 64°F | 5.4" |
| Jul | 89°F | 70°F | 7.3" |
| Aug | 85°F | 69°F | 7.6" |
| Sep | 79°F | 62°F | 4.9" |
| Oct | 69°F | 52°F | 4.9" |
| Nov | 56°F | 40°F | 3.2" |
| Dec | 49°F | 34°F | 4.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Maryland. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of hawks in Maryland peak in January, when 2,955 of the year's 24,176 verified observations are logged — about 12.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, February and March.
The quietest stretch is July, June and August, when hawks are hardest to find — July sees just 905 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 Maryland are Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered 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 Maryland
- Antietam National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Assateague Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Chesapeake Bay
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Maryland?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, February and March, based on 24,176 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Maryland?+
July is the quietest month for hawks in Maryland, with only 905 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Maryland?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Maryland, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Maryland