Hawks in South Dakota in September
Yes, September is a good month to see hawks in South Dakota. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 172 of the 2,022 sightings logged across the year (8.5%), 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.
Good month for hawks in South Dakota
8.5%
of yearly sightings
172
records in September
#6
busiest month of 12
2,022
verified records a year
August 9.3%, September 8.5%, October 6.4%. Busiest month is April at 13.1%.
2,022 verified observations of hawks in South Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
April
264 records (13.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 187 | 9.2% |
| February | 136 | 6.7% |
| Marchpeak | 195 | 9.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 264 | 13.1% |
| Maypeak | 199 | 9.8% |
| June | 122 | 6% |
| July | 127 | 6.3% |
| August | 189 | 9.3% |
| September | 172 | 8.5% |
| October | 130 | 6.4% |
| November | 142 | 7% |
| December | 159 | 7.9% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | 601 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 526 |
| Northern Harrier | 169 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 149 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 126 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 115 |
| Golden Eagle | 111 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 73 |
In South Dakota, September carries 8.5% of the year's hawks sightings, about 0.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between August and September, and it heads toward October (6.4%) after. The busiest month is April (13.1%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The hawks most often recorded in South Dakota are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Northern Harrier. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September itself.
Which hawks you are most likely to see
- Bald Eagle601 records
- Red-tailed Hawk526 records
- Northern Harrier169 records
- Rough-legged Hawk149 records
- Swainson's Hawk126 records
- Cooper's Hawk115 records
Plan your hawk trip in South Dakota
Start with live tours near Badlands National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main hawk viewing area.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see hawks in South Dakota in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 172 of the 2,022 verified hawks sightings logged in South Dakota across the year, which is 8.5% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see hawks in South Dakota?+
September is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though April and May is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for hawks in South Dakota?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and March, based on 2,022 verified observations.
Which hawks are you most likely to see in South Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in South Dakota are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Northern Harrier, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hawks in South Dakota in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in South Dakota