Hawks in Ohio in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see hawks in Ohio. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 3,060 of the 25,177 sightings logged across the year (12.2%), 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 Ohio
12.2%
of yearly sightings
3,060
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
25,177
verified records a year
April 12.3%, May 12.2%, June 5.7%. Busiest month is April at 12.3%.
25,177 verified observations of hawks in Ohio, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Ohio
Peak month
April
3,086 records (12.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2,533 | 10.1% |
| February | 2,356 | 9.4% |
| Marchpeak | 2,603 | 10.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 3,086 | 12.3% |
| Maypeak | 3,060 | 12.2% |
| June | 1,423 | 5.7% |
| July | 1,401 | 5.6% |
| August | 1,667 | 6.6% |
| September | 1,689 | 6.7% |
| October | 1,560 | 6.2% |
| November | 1,776 | 7.1% |
| December | 2,023 | 8% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | 8,178 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 6,969 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 4,190 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 3,419 |
| Northern Harrier | 730 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 562 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 264 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 249 |
In Ohio, May carries 12.2% of the year's hawks sightings, about 3.9 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 holds steady between April and May, and it heads toward June (5.7%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The hawks most often recorded in Ohio are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Red-shouldered Hawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which hawks you are most likely to see
- Bald Eagle8,178 records
- Red-tailed Hawk6,969 records
- Red-shouldered Hawk4,190 records
- Cooper's Hawk3,419 records
- Northern Harrier730 records
- Broad-winged Hawk562 records
Plan your hawk trip in Ohio
Start with live tours near Cuyahoga Valley National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main hawk viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best hawk viewing area in Ohio.
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Broader backupBook a hawk tour in Ohio
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 Ohio in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 3,060 of the 25,177 verified hawks sightings logged in Ohio across the year, which is 12.2% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see hawks in Ohio?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and March.
What month is best for hawks in Ohio?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and March, based on 25,177 verified observations.
Which hawks are you most likely to see in Ohio?+
The most-recorded species in Ohio are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Red-shouldered Hawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hawks in Ohio in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Ohio