Best Time to See Hawks in Virginia
January, December and February is the best time to see hawks in Virginia. Based on 21,947 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Virginia.
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 · Judy Gallagher CC BY-SA
Red-tailed Hawk · Andre Knocklein CC BY
Mississippi Kite · Laura Mae CC BY
21,947 verified observations of hawks in Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Virginia
Peak month
January
2,578 records (11.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 2,578 | 11.7% |
| Februarypeak | 2,379 | 10.8% |
| March | 2,262 | 10.3% |
| April | 2,293 | 10.4% |
| May | 1,684 | 7.7% |
| June | 1,214 | 5.5% |
| July | 967 | 4.4% |
| August | 1,234 | 5.6% |
| September | 1,370 | 6.2% |
| October | 1,644 | 7.5% |
| November | 1,882 | 8.6% |
| Decemberpeak | 2,440 | 11.1% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 7,000 |
| Bald Eagle | 6,224 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 3,462 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 2,878 |
| Northern Harrier | 496 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 451 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 403 |
| Mississippi Kite | 238 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Virginia
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 30 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 47°F | 30°F | 3.2" |
| Febbest time | 52°F | 33°F | 4" |
| Mar | 60°F | 39°F | 3" |
| Apr | 70°F | 46°F | 3.9" |
| May | 77°F | 56°F | 3.5" |
| Jun | 86°F | 64°F | 3.1" |
| Jul | 92°F | 70°F | 3.2" |
| Aug | 88°F | 68°F | 3.8" |
| Sep | 82°F | 62°F | 2.9" |
| Oct | 71°F | 52°F | 3.6" |
| Nov | 59°F | 39°F | 3.1" |
| Decbest time | 52°F | 34°F | 4" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Virginia. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of hawks in Virginia peak in January, when 2,578 of the year's 21,947 verified observations are logged — about 11.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, December and February.
The quietest stretch is July, June and August, when hawks are hardest to find — July sees just 967 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 Virginia are Red-shouldered Hawk, Bald Eagle and Red-tailed 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 Virginia
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Appomattox Court House National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Assateague Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Blue Ridge Parkway — Parkway
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Virginia?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, December and February, based on 21,947 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Virginia?+
July is the quietest month for hawks in Virginia, with only 967 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Virginia?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Virginia, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Virginia