Hawks in Michigan in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see hawks in Michigan. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 1,310 of the 11,764 sightings logged across the year (11.1%), 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.
Peak month for hawks in Michigan
11.1%
of yearly sightings
1,310
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
11,764
verified records a year
April 12.7%, May 11.1%, June 6.7%. Busiest month is April at 12.7%.
11,764 verified observations of hawks in Michigan, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Michigan
Peak month
April
1,497 records (12.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 967 | 8.2% |
| February | 939 | 8% |
| March | 998 | 8.5% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,497 | 12.7% |
| Maypeak | 1,310 | 11.1% |
| June | 787 | 6.7% |
| July | 786 | 6.7% |
| Augustpeak | 1,006 | 8.6% |
| September | 884 | 7.5% |
| October | 813 | 6.9% |
| November | 863 | 7.3% |
| December | 914 | 7.8% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | 3,693 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 3,572 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1,716 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 555 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 498 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 434 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 408 |
| Northern Harrier | 354 |
In Michigan, May carries 11.1% of the year's hawks sightings, about 2.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (12.7%) into May, and it heads toward June (6.7%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The hawks most often recorded in Michigan are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper's 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 Eagle3,693 records
- Red-tailed Hawk3,572 records
- Cooper's Hawk1,716 records
- Broad-winged Hawk555 records
- Red-shouldered Hawk498 records
- Rough-legged Hawk434 records
Plan your hawk trip in Michigan
Start with live tours near Isle Royale National Park, 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 Isle Royale 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 Isle Royale National Park
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see hawks in Michigan in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 1,310 of the 11,764 verified hawks sightings logged in Michigan across the year, which is 11.1% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see hawks in Michigan?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and August.
What month is best for hawks in Michigan?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and August, based on 11,764 verified observations.
Which hawks are you most likely to see in Michigan?+
The most-recorded species in Michigan are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper's Hawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hawks in Michigan in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Michigan