Best Time to See Hawks in Pennsylvania
March, April and November is the best time to see hawks in Pennsylvania. Based on 25,854 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Pennsylvania.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
25,854 verified observations of hawks in Pennsylvania, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Pennsylvania
Peak month
March
2,655 records (10.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2,378 | 9.2% |
| February | 2,444 | 9.5% |
| Marchpeak | 2,655 | 10.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 2,653 | 10.3% |
| May | 2,036 | 7.9% |
| June | 1,513 | 5.9% |
| July | 1,377 | 5.3% |
| August | 1,648 | 6.4% |
| September | 1,917 | 7.4% |
| October | 2,329 | 9% |
| Novemberpeak | 2,569 | 9.9% |
| December | 2,335 | 9% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 10,011 |
| Bald Eagle | 6,133 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 3,729 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 2,220 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 819 |
| Golden Eagle | 792 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 685 |
| Northern Harrier | 566 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Pennsylvania
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 31 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38°F | 23°F | 3.1" |
| Feb | 41°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
| Marbest time | 50°F | 31°F | 3.3" |
| Aprbest time | 60°F | 40°F | 4.1" |
| May | 70°F | 49°F | 4.1" |
| Jun | 79°F | 59°F | 3.9" |
| Jul | 86°F | 65°F | 3.2" |
| Aug | 84°F | 64°F | 4.3" |
| Sep | 75°F | 57°F | 3.9" |
| Oct | 64°F | 47°F | 4" |
| Novbest time | 51°F | 35°F | 2.4" |
| Dec | 43°F | 29°F | 4.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Pennsylvania. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in Pennsylvania:
Sightings of hawks in Pennsylvania peak in March, when 2,655 of the year's 25,854 verified observations are logged — about 10.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through March, April and November.
The quietest stretch is July, June and August, when hawks are hardest to find — July sees just 1,377 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 Pennsylvania are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Cooper's Hawk — 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 Pennsylvania
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Fort Necessity National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Friendship Hill National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Pennsylvania?+
March is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through March, April and November, based on 25,854 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Pennsylvania?+
July is the quietest month for hawks in Pennsylvania, with only 1,377 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Pennsylvania?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Pennsylvania, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in March.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Pennsylvania