Hawks in New Jersey in March

Yes, March is one of the best months to see hawks in New Jersey. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 1,423 of the 13,280 sightings logged across the year (10.7%), 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 June 28, 2026.

Cooper's Hawk photographed in New JerseyRed-shouldered Hawk photographed in New JerseyNorthern Harrier photographed in New Jersey
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for hawks in New Jersey

10.7%

of yearly sightings

1,423

records in March

#2

busiest month of 12

13,280

verified records a year

February 9.6%, March 10.7%, April 9.4%. Busiest month is October at 13.3%.

Best months: October, March, January

13,280 verified observations of hawks in New Jersey, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When hawks are recorded in New Jersey

Peak month

October

1,772 records (13.3% of the year)

Quietest month

July

583 records

MonthObservationsShare
Januarypeak1,34510.1%
February1,2789.6%
Marchpeak1,42310.7%
April1,2479.4%
May9807.4%
June6014.5%
July5834.4%
August6935.2%
September9727.3%
Octoberpeak1,77213.3%
November1,1888.9%
December1,1989%

Hawks you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Red-tailed Hawk4,783
Bald Eagle3,149
Cooper's Hawk2,246
Red-shouldered Hawk954
Northern Harrier767
Sharp-shinned Hawk484
Broad-winged Hawk250
Rough-legged Hawk78

In New Jersey, March carries 10.7% of the year's hawks sightings, about 2.4 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 (9.6%) into March, and it heads toward April (9.4%) 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 New Jersey are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle 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

  • Red-tailed Hawk4,783 records
  • Bald Eagle3,149 records
  • Cooper's Hawk2,246 records
  • Red-shouldered Hawk954 records
  • Northern Harrier767 records
  • Sharp-shinned Hawk484 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

Plan your hawk trip in New Jersey

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.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see hawks in New Jersey in March?+

Yes. March accounts for 1,423 of the 13,280 verified hawks sightings logged in New Jersey across the year, which is 10.7% of the annual total.

Is March a good time to see hawks in New Jersey?+

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

What month is best for hawks in New Jersey?+

October is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through October, March and January, based on 13,280 verified observations.

Which hawks are you most likely to see in New Jersey?+

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