Hawks in Vermont in May
Yes, May is a good month to see hawks in Vermont. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 866 of the 8,106 sightings logged across the year (10.7%), 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 Vermont
10.7%
of yearly sightings
866
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
8,106
verified records a year
April 12.5%, May 10.7%, June 5.7%. Busiest month is April at 12.5%.
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 |
In Vermont, May carries 10.7% of the year's hawks sightings, about 2.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (12.5%) into May, and it heads toward June (5.7%) after. The busiest month is April (12.5%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The hawks most often recorded in Vermont are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Broad-winged Hawk. 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-tailed Hawk2,295 records
- Bald Eagle2,097 records
- Broad-winged Hawk1,140 records
- Cooper's Hawk730 records
- Northern Harrier491 records
- Rough-legged Hawk412 records
Plan your hawk trip in Vermont
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main hawk viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best hawk viewing area in Vermont.
Viator
Broader backupBook a hawk tour in Vermont
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 Vermont in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 866 of the 8,106 verified hawks sightings logged in Vermont across the year, which is 10.7% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see hawks in Vermont?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though April and March is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for hawks in Vermont?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, March and January, based on 8,106 verified observations.
Which hawks are you most likely to see in Vermont?+
The most-recorded species in Vermont are Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and Broad-winged Hawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hawks in Vermont in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Vermont