Best Time to See Hawks in New Hampshire
August, May and April is the best time to see hawks in New Hampshire. Based on 3,250 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in New Hampshire.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Broad-winged Hawk · Public domain CC0
Bald Eagle · Ken-ichi Ueda CC BY
Bald Eagle · Judd Nathan CC BY-ND
3,250 verified observations of hawks in New Hampshire, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in New Hampshire
Peak month
August
420 records (12.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 130 | 4% |
| February | 142 | 4.4% |
| March | 235 | 7.2% |
| Aprilpeak | 405 | 12.5% |
| Maypeak | 411 | 12.6% |
| June | 308 | 9.5% |
| July | 369 | 11.4% |
| Augustpeak | 420 | 12.9% |
| September | 401 | 12.3% |
| October | 190 | 5.8% |
| November | 123 | 3.8% |
| December | 116 | 3.6% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Broad-winged Hawk | 777 |
| Bald Eagle | 770 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 707 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 354 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 253 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 135 |
| Northern Harrier | 56 |
| Mississippi Kite | 48 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New Hampshire
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 29 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 24°F | 8°F | 4.1" |
| Feb | 25°F | 8°F | 3.6" |
| Mar | 34°F | 18°F | 3.3" |
| Aprbest time | 45°F | 29°F | 5.2" |
| Maybest time | 58°F | 40°F | 4.1" |
| Jun | 67°F | 50°F | 4.8" |
| Jul | 72°F | 57°F | 7.1" |
| Augbest time | 70°F | 56°F | 4.5" |
| Sep | 63°F | 48°F | 4.5" |
| Oct | 53°F | 39°F | 5.6" |
| Nov | 38°F | 24°F | 4.2" |
| Dec | 30°F | 17°F | 6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New Hampshire. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in New Hampshire:
Sightings of hawks in New Hampshire peak in August, when 420 of the year's 3,250 verified observations are logged — about 12.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through August, May and April.
The quietest stretch is December, November and January, when hawks are hardest to find — December sees just 116 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 New Hampshire are Broad-winged Hawk, Bald Eagle and Red-tailed Hawk — 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 New Hampshire
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Odiorne Point SP, Rye
- New Hampshire Coast (consider using a more specific location)
- Isles of Shoals (NH)
- Isles of Shoals--Star Island, Rye
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in New Hampshire?+
August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, May and April, based on 3,250 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in New Hampshire?+
December is the quietest month for hawks in New Hampshire, with only 116 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in New Hampshire?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New Hampshire, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in August.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in New Hampshire