Best Time to See Hawks in North Carolina
January, February and March is the best time to see hawks in North Carolina. Based on 17,753 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in North Carolina.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Bald Eagle · Michael J. Papay CC BY
Red-shouldered Hawk · Public domain CC0
Mississippi Kite · Michael J. Papay CC BY
17,753 verified observations of hawks in North Carolina, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in North Carolina
Peak month
January
2,021 records (11.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 2,021 | 11.4% |
| Februarypeak | 1,990 | 11.2% |
| Marchpeak | 1,727 | 9.7% |
| April | 1,655 | 9.3% |
| May | 1,568 | 8.8% |
| June | 1,395 | 7.9% |
| July | 1,036 | 5.8% |
| August | 1,168 | 6.6% |
| September | 1,052 | 5.9% |
| October | 1,230 | 6.9% |
| November | 1,291 | 7.3% |
| December | 1,620 | 9.1% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 8,166 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 3,572 |
| Bald Eagle | 2,344 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1,641 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 429 |
| Northern Harrier | 384 |
| Mississippi Kite | 297 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 189 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in North Carolina
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 36 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 53°F | 36°F | 5.4" |
| Febbest time | 58°F | 40°F | 3.9" |
| Marbest time | 65°F | 45°F | 3.6" |
| Apr | 73°F | 51°F | 4" |
| May | 80°F | 59°F | 3" |
| Jun | 85°F | 66°F | 3.8" |
| Jul | 90°F | 72°F | 4.1" |
| Aug | 88°F | 70°F | 4.8" |
| Sep | 83°F | 64°F | 3.8" |
| Oct | 74°F | 55°F | 2.4" |
| Nov | 62°F | 44°F | 3.5" |
| Dec | 56°F | 39°F | 5.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for North Carolina. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in North Carolina:
Sightings of hawks in North Carolina peak in January, when 2,021 of the year's 17,753 verified observations are logged — about 11.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, February and March.
The quietest stretch is July, September and August, when hawks are hardest to find — July sees just 1,036 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 North Carolina are Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk and Bald Eagle — 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 North Carolina
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Blue Ridge Parkway — Parkway
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore — National Seashore
- Cape Lookout National Seashore — National Seashore
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park — National Park
- Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in North Carolina?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, February and March, based on 17,753 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in North Carolina?+
July is the quietest month for hawks in North Carolina, with only 1,036 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in North Carolina?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in North Carolina, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in North Carolina