Best Time to See Hawks in Massachusetts
April, March and January is the best time to see hawks in Massachusetts. Based on 20,697 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Massachusetts.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Red-tailed Hawk · Aaron Doucett CC BY-SA
Swainson's Hawk · Public domain CC0
Red-tailed Hawk · Zac Peterson CC BY
20,697 verified observations of hawks in Massachusetts, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Massachusetts
Peak month
April
2,444 records (11.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 1,905 | 9.2% |
| February | 1,797 | 8.7% |
| Marchpeak | 2,103 | 10.2% |
| Aprilpeak | 2,444 | 11.8% |
| May | 1,868 | 9% |
| June | 1,161 | 5.6% |
| July | 1,155 | 5.6% |
| August | 1,482 | 7.2% |
| September | 1,554 | 7.5% |
| October | 1,785 | 8.6% |
| November | 1,676 | 8.1% |
| December | 1,767 | 8.5% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 9,907 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 3,596 |
| Bald Eagle | 2,618 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 1,286 |
| Northern Harrier | 1,138 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 676 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 508 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 100 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Massachusetts
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 22 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 37°F | 22°F | 3.8" |
| Feb | 39°F | 22°F | 3.4" |
| Marbest time | 48°F | 28°F | 3.6" |
| Aprbest time | 57°F | 38°F | 4.6" |
| May | 68°F | 47°F | 3.4" |
| Jun | 78°F | 58°F | 3.6" |
| Jul | 83°F | 65°F | 5.4" |
| Aug | 82°F | 64°F | 3.5" |
| Sep | 73°F | 56°F | 5.3" |
| Oct | 62°F | 47°F | 5.3" |
| Nov | 50°F | 34°F | 3.1" |
| Dec | 42°F | 27°F | 5.9" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Massachusetts. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in Massachusetts:
Sightings of hawks in Massachusetts peak in April, when 2,444 of the year's 20,697 verified observations are logged — about 11.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and January.
The quietest stretch is July, June and August, when hawks are hardest to find — July sees just 1,155 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 Massachusetts are Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's 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 Massachusetts
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Cape Cod National Seashore — National Seashore
- Adams National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Boston African American National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Massachusetts?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and January, based on 20,697 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Massachusetts?+
July is the quietest month for hawks in Massachusetts, with only 1,155 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Massachusetts?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Massachusetts, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Massachusetts