Hawks in North Dakota in June

Yes, June is one of the best months to see hawks in North Dakota. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 142 of the 1,181 sightings logged across the year (12%), 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 July 2, 2026.

Swainson's Hawk photographed in North DakotaCooper's Hawk photographed in North DakotaRough-legged Hawk photographed in North Dakota
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for hawks in North Dakota

12%

of yearly sightings

142

records in June

#3

busiest month of 12

1,181

verified records a year

May 13%, June 12%, July 9.9%. Busiest month is April at 15.6%.

Best months: April, May, June

1,181 verified observations of hawks in North Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When hawks are recorded in North Dakota

Peak month

April

184 records (15.6% of the year)

Quietest month

February

25 records

MonthObservationsShare
January413.5%
February252.1%
March816.9%
Aprilpeak18415.6%
Maypeak15413%
Junepeak14212%
July1179.9%
August13711.6%
September12510.6%
October453.8%
November635.3%
December675.7%

Hawks you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Red-tailed Hawk289
Bald Eagle238
Swainson's Hawk193
Northern Harrier113
Cooper's Hawk82
Golden Eagle66
Rough-legged Hawk66
Sharp-shinned Hawk39

In North Dakota, June carries 12% of the year's hawks sightings, about 3.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity holds steady between May and June, and it heads toward July (9.9%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so June is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

The hawks most often recorded in North Dakota are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Swainson's Hawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a June split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in June itself.

Which hawks you are most likely to see

  • Red-tailed Hawk289 records
  • Bald Eagle238 records
  • Swainson's Hawk193 records
  • Northern Harrier113 records
  • Cooper's Hawk82 records
  • Golden Eagle66 records
Plan your tripKnife River Indian Villages National Historic Site

Plan your hawk trip in North Dakota

Start with live tours near Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, 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 North Dakota in June?+

Yes. June accounts for 142 of the 1,181 verified hawks sightings logged in North Dakota across the year, which is 12% of the annual total.

Is June a good time to see hawks in North Dakota?+

June is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and June.

What month is best for hawks in North Dakota?+

April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and June, based on 1,181 verified observations.

Which hawks are you most likely to see in North Dakota?+

The most-recorded species in North Dakota are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Swainson's Hawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.