Best Time to See Hawks in Vermont
April, March and January is the best time to see hawks in Vermont. Based on 8,106 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Vermont.
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 · Richard Littauer CC BY
Rough-legged Hawk · Public domain CC0
Cooper's Hawk · Shirley Zundell CC BY
8,106 verified observations of hawks in Vermont, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Vermont
Peak month
April
1,014 records (12.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 891 | 11% |
| February | 750 | 9.3% |
| Marchpeak | 955 | 11.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,014 | 12.5% |
| May | 866 | 10.7% |
| June | 460 | 5.7% |
| July | 436 | 5.4% |
| August | 644 | 7.9% |
| September | 603 | 7.4% |
| October | 454 | 5.6% |
| November | 486 | 6% |
| December | 547 | 6.7% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-tailed Hawk | 2,295 |
| Bald Eagle | 2,097 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 1,140 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 730 |
| Northern Harrier | 491 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 412 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 410 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 285 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Vermont
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 10 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 27°F | 10°F | 3.3" |
| Feb | 29°F | 10°F | 3" |
| Marbest time | 39°F | 20°F | 2.8" |
| Aprbest time | 50°F | 32°F | 4.3" |
| May | 63°F | 43°F | 3.3" |
| Jun | 72°F | 53°F | 4" |
| Jul | 77°F | 60°F | 6.2" |
| Aug | 75°F | 58°F | 4.1" |
| Sep | 68°F | 51°F | 3.4" |
| Oct | 57°F | 41°F | 5.1" |
| Nov | 42°F | 26°F | 3.3" |
| Dec | 34°F | 20°F | 4.5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Vermont. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in Vermont:
Sightings of hawks in Vermont peak in April, when 1,014 of the year's 8,106 verified observations are logged — about 12.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and January.
The quietest stretch is July, October and June, when hawks are hardest to find — July sees just 436 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 Vermont are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Broad-winged 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 Vermont
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Marsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Dead Creek WMA IBA
- Missisquoi NWR IBA
- Shelburne Bay
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Vermont?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and January, based on 8,106 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Vermont?+
July is the quietest month for hawks in Vermont, with only 436 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Vermont?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Vermont, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Vermont