Hawks in New Jersey in October
Yes, October is one of the best months to see hawks in New Jersey. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 1,772 of the 13,280 sightings logged across the year (13.3%), 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 New Jersey
13.3%
of yearly sightings
1,772
records in October
#1
busiest month of 12
13,280
verified records a year
September 7.3%, October 13.3%, November 8.9%. Busiest month is October at 13.3%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 1,345 | 10.1% |
| February | 1,278 | 9.6% |
| Marchpeak | 1,423 | 10.7% |
| April | 1,247 | 9.4% |
| May | 980 | 7.4% |
| June | 601 | 4.5% |
| July | 583 | 4.4% |
| August | 693 | 5.2% |
| September | 972 | 7.3% |
| Octoberpeak | 1,772 | 13.3% |
| November | 1,188 | 8.9% |
| December | 1,198 | 9% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 4,783 |
| Bald Eagle | 3,149 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 2,246 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 954 |
| Northern Harrier | 767 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 484 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 250 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 78 |
In New Jersey, October carries 13.3% of the year's hawks sightings, about 5 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from September (7.3%) into October, and it heads toward November (8.9%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so October 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 October split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in October 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 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.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main hawk viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best hawk viewing area in New Jersey.
Viator
Broader backupBook a hawk tour in New Jersey
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 New Jersey in October?+
Yes. October accounts for 1,772 of the 13,280 verified hawks sightings logged in New Jersey across the year, which is 13.3% of the annual total.
Is October a good time to see hawks in New Jersey?+
October is one of the best months. It ranks 1st 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.
See hawks in New Jersey in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in New Jersey