Best Time to See Hawks in South Carolina
January, May and February is the best time to see hawks in South Carolina. Based on 8,279 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in South 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 · sudomir CC BY
Red-shouldered Hawk · sudomir CC BY
Red-tailed Hawk · colorful-corvid CC BY
8,279 verified observations of hawks in South Carolina, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in South Carolina
Peak month
January
873 records (10.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 873 | 10.5% |
| Februarypeak | 791 | 9.6% |
| March | 777 | 9.4% |
| April | 700 | 8.5% |
| Maypeak | 817 | 9.9% |
| June | 644 | 7.8% |
| July | 610 | 7.4% |
| August | 570 | 6.9% |
| September | 493 | 6% |
| October | 611 | 7.4% |
| November | 624 | 7.5% |
| December | 769 | 9.3% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 2,720 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1,885 |
| Bald Eagle | 1,459 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 669 |
| Mississippi Kite | 655 |
| Swallow-tailed Kite | 295 |
| Northern Harrier | 210 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 121 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in South 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 41 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 57°F | 41°F | 4.6" |
| Febbest time | 63°F | 44°F | 4" |
| Mar | 69°F | 49°F | 4" |
| Apr | 76°F | 54°F | 4.5" |
| Maybest time | 83°F | 63°F | 3.4" |
| Jun | 88°F | 69°F | 4.2" |
| Jul | 92°F | 74°F | 5.2" |
| Aug | 90°F | 73°F | 4.9" |
| Sep | 85°F | 67°F | 4.1" |
| Oct | 77°F | 58°F | 2.3" |
| Nov | 66°F | 47°F | 2.7" |
| Dec | 60°F | 43°F | 4.5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for South Carolina. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in South Carolina:
Sightings of hawks in South Carolina peak in January, when 873 of the year's 8,279 verified observations are logged — about 10.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, May and February.
The quietest stretch is September, August and July, when hawks are hardest to find — September sees just 493 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 South 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 South Carolina
- Charles Pinckney National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Ninety Six National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Congaree National Park — National Park
- Cowpens National Battlefield — National Battlefield
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in South Carolina?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, May and February, based on 8,279 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in South Carolina?+
September is the quietest month for hawks in South Carolina, with only 493 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in South Carolina?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in South Carolina, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in South Carolina