Hawks in South Carolina in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see hawks in South Carolina. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 817 of the 8,279 sightings logged across the year (9.9%), 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 South Carolina
9.9%
of yearly sightings
817
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
8,279
verified records a year
April 8.5%, May 9.9%, June 7.8%. Busiest month is January at 10.5%.
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 |
In South Carolina, May carries 9.9% of the year's hawks sightings, about 1.6 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 is rising from April (8.5%) into May, and it heads toward June (7.8%) 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 South Carolina are Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk and Bald Eagle. 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
- Red-shouldered Hawk2,720 records
- Red-tailed Hawk1,885 records
- Bald Eagle1,459 records
- Cooper's Hawk669 records
- Mississippi Kite655 records
- Swallow-tailed Kite295 records
Plan your hawk trip in South Carolina
Start with live tours near Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Charles Pinckney National Historic Site
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 Charles Pinckney National Historic Site
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best hawk viewing area in South Carolina.
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Broader backupBook a hawk tour in South Carolina
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 South Carolina in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 817 of the 8,279 verified hawks sightings logged in South Carolina across the year, which is 9.9% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see hawks in South Carolina?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of January, May and February.
What month is best for hawks in South Carolina?+
January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, May and February, based on 8,279 verified observations.
Which hawks are you most likely to see in South Carolina?+
The most-recorded species in South Carolina are Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk and Bald Eagle, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hawks in South Carolina in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in South Carolina