Hawks in Virginia in December
Yes, December is one of the best months to see hawks in Virginia. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 2,440 of the 21,947 sightings logged across the year (11.1%), 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 Virginia
11.1%
of yearly sightings
2,440
records in December
#2
busiest month of 12
21,947
verified records a year
November 8.6%, December 11.1%, January 11.7%. Busiest month is January at 11.7%.
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 |
In Virginia, December carries 11.1% of the year's hawks sightings, about 2.8 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 November (8.6%) into December, and it heads toward January (11.7%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so December is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The hawks most often recorded in Virginia are Red-shouldered Hawk, Bald Eagle and Red-tailed Hawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which hawks you are most likely to see
- Red-shouldered Hawk7,000 records
- Bald Eagle6,224 records
- Red-tailed Hawk3,462 records
- Cooper's Hawk2,878 records
- Northern Harrier496 records
- Broad-winged Hawk451 records
Plan your hawk trip in Virginia
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.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see hawks in Virginia in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 2,440 of the 21,947 verified hawks sightings logged in Virginia across the year, which is 11.1% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see hawks in Virginia?+
December is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of January, December and February.
What month is best for hawks in Virginia?+
January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, December and February, based on 21,947 verified observations.
Which hawks are you most likely to see in Virginia?+
The most-recorded species in Virginia are Red-shouldered Hawk, Bald Eagle and Red-tailed Hawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hawks in Virginia in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Virginia