Hawks in Minnesota in March

Yes, March is one of the best months to see hawks in Minnesota. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 1,541 of the 14,208 sightings logged across the year (10.8%), 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 July 2, 2026.

Cooper's Hawk photographed in MinnesotaCooper's Hawk photographed in MinnesotaCooper's Hawk photographed in Minnesota
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for hawks in Minnesota

10.8%

of yearly sightings

1,541

records in March

#2

busiest month of 12

14,208

verified records a year

February 6.8%, March 10.8%, April 16.8%. Busiest month is April at 16.8%.

Best months: April, March, May

14,208 verified observations of hawks in Minnesota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When hawks are recorded in Minnesota

Peak month

April

2,394 records (16.8% of the year)

Quietest month

December

786 records

MonthObservationsShare
January8455.9%
February9616.8%
Marchpeak1,54110.8%
Aprilpeak2,39416.8%
Maypeak1,53610.8%
June8045.7%
July9496.7%
August1,0857.6%
September1,3399.4%
October1,1398%
November8295.8%
December7865.5%

Hawks you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Bald Eagle6,691
Red-tailed Hawk2,586
Cooper's Hawk1,387
Broad-winged Hawk1,235
Sharp-shinned Hawk539
Northern Harrier493
Rough-legged Hawk460
Red-shouldered Hawk292

In Minnesota, March carries 10.8% of the year's hawks sightings, about 2.5 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 rising from February (6.8%) into March, and it heads toward April (16.8%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so March is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

The hawks most often recorded in Minnesota are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper's Hawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a March split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in March itself.

Which hawks you are most likely to see

  • Bald Eagle6,691 records
  • Red-tailed Hawk2,586 records
  • Cooper's Hawk1,387 records
  • Broad-winged Hawk1,235 records
  • Sharp-shinned Hawk539 records
  • Northern Harrier493 records
Plan your tripGrand Portage National Monument

Plan your hawk trip in Minnesota

Start with live tours near Grand Portage National Monument, 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 Minnesota in March?+

Yes. March accounts for 1,541 of the 14,208 verified hawks sightings logged in Minnesota across the year, which is 10.8% of the annual total.

Is March a good time to see hawks in Minnesota?+

March is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, March and May.

What month is best for hawks in Minnesota?+

April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, March and May, based on 14,208 verified observations.

Which hawks are you most likely to see in Minnesota?+

The most-recorded species in Minnesota are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper's Hawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.