Hawks in Montana in September
Yes, September is a good month to see hawks in Montana. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 374 of the 4,313 sightings logged across the year (8.7%), 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 Montana
8.7%
of yearly sightings
374
records in September
#5
busiest month of 12
4,313
verified records a year
August 11.8%, September 8.7%, October 5.4%. Busiest month is May at 12.5%.
4,313 verified observations of hawks in Montana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Montana
Peak month
May
537 records (12.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 328 | 7.6% |
| February | 280 | 6.5% |
| March | 240 | 5.6% |
| April | 348 | 8.1% |
| Maypeak | 537 | 12.5% |
| Junepeak | 508 | 11.8% |
| July | 455 | 10.5% |
| Augustpeak | 511 | 11.8% |
| September | 374 | 8.7% |
| October | 231 | 5.4% |
| November | 184 | 4.3% |
| December | 317 | 7.3% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | 1,362 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 995 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 349 |
| Golden Eagle | 324 |
| Northern Harrier | 312 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 293 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 214 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 177 |
In Montana, September carries 8.7% of the year's hawks sightings, about 0.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (11.8%) into September, and it heads toward October (5.4%) after. The busiest month is May (12.5%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The hawks most often recorded in Montana are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Swainson's Hawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September itself.
Which hawks you are most likely to see
- Bald Eagle1,362 records
- Red-tailed Hawk995 records
- Swainson's Hawk349 records
- Golden Eagle324 records
- Northern Harrier312 records
- Rough-legged Hawk293 records
Plan your hawk trip in Montana
Start with live tours near Big Hole National Battlefield, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Big Hole National Battlefield
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 Big Hole National Battlefield
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best hawk viewing area in Montana.
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Broader backupBook a hawk tour in Montana
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 Montana in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 374 of the 4,313 verified hawks sightings logged in Montana across the year, which is 8.7% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see hawks in Montana?+
September is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though May and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for hawks in Montana?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, August and June, based on 4,313 verified observations.
Which hawks are you most likely to see in Montana?+
The most-recorded species in Montana are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Swainson's Hawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hawks in Montana in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Montana