Best Time to See Hawks in Rhode Island
April, January and March is the best time to see hawks in Rhode Island. Based on 1,416 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Rhode Island.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Golden Eagle · Matt Schenck CC BY
Broad-winged Hawk · Deana Tempest Thomas CC BY
Northern Harrier · Kevin Lynch CC BY
1,416 verified observations of hawks in Rhode Island, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Rhode Island
Peak month
April
153 records (10.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 139 | 9.8% |
| February | 126 | 8.9% |
| Marchpeak | 136 | 9.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 153 | 10.8% |
| May | 111 | 7.8% |
| June | 74 | 5.2% |
| July | 104 | 7.3% |
| August | 114 | 8.1% |
| September | 104 | 7.3% |
| October | 105 | 7.4% |
| November | 114 | 8.1% |
| December | 136 | 9.6% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 574 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 287 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 159 |
| Bald Eagle | 137 |
| Northern Harrier | 80 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 71 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 30 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 7 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Rhode Island
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 25 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 39°F | 25°F | 4.3" |
| Feb | 41°F | 25°F | 4" |
| Marbest time | 49°F | 31°F | 4" |
| Aprbest time | 57°F | 40°F | 5.2" |
| May | 67°F | 49°F | 4" |
| Jun | 77°F | 59°F | 3.7" |
| Jul | 83°F | 67°F | 4.9" |
| Aug | 81°F | 66°F | 3.7" |
| Sep | 74°F | 59°F | 5" |
| Oct | 64°F | 50°F | 5.9" |
| Nov | 52°F | 37°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 44°F | 30°F | 6.5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Rhode Island. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in Rhode Island:
Sightings of hawks in Rhode Island peak in April, when 153 of the year's 1,416 verified observations are logged — about 10.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, January and March.
The quietest stretch is June, July and September, when hawks are hardest to find — June sees just 74 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 Rhode Island are Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk and Red-shouldered 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 Rhode Island
- Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Roger Williams National Memorial — National Memorial
- Touro Synagogue National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Block Island (please use more refined location)
- Trustom Pond NWR
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Rhode Island?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, January and March, based on 1,416 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Rhode Island?+
June is the quietest month for hawks in Rhode Island, with only 74 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Rhode Island?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Rhode Island, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Rhode Island