Hawks in Massachusetts in May
Yes, May is a good month to see hawks in Massachusetts. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 1,868 of the 20,697 sightings logged across the year (9%), 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 Massachusetts
9%
of yearly sightings
1,868
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
20,697
verified records a year
April 11.8%, May 9%, June 5.6%. Busiest month is April at 11.8%.
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 |
In Massachusetts, May carries 9% of the year's hawks sightings, about 0.7 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 easing off from April (11.8%) into May, and it heads toward June (5.6%) after. The busiest month is April (11.8%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The hawks most often recorded in Massachusetts are Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk and Bald Eagle. 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
- Red-tailed Hawk9,907 records
- Cooper's Hawk3,596 records
- Bald Eagle2,618 records
- Red-shouldered Hawk1,286 records
- Northern Harrier1,138 records
- Broad-winged Hawk676 records
Plan your hawk trip in Massachusetts
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
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 Appalachian National Scenic Trail
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Broader backupBook a hawk tour in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 1,868 of the 20,697 verified hawks sightings logged in Massachusetts across the year, which is 9% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see hawks in Massachusetts?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though April and March is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for hawks in Massachusetts?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, March and January, based on 20,697 verified observations.
Which hawks are you most likely to see in Massachusetts?+
The most-recorded species in Massachusetts are Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk and Bald Eagle, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hawks in Massachusetts in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Massachusetts