Best Time to See Hawks in Washington
April, January and March is the best time to see hawks in Washington. Based on 29,545 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Washington.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Sharp-shinned Hawk · RJ Baltierra CC BY
American Goshawk · Ben Meredyk CC BY
Cooper's Hawk · Public domain CC0
29,545 verified observations of hawks in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Washington
Peak month
April
3,362 records (11.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 3,304 | 11.2% |
| February | 2,887 | 9.8% |
| Marchpeak | 3,212 | 10.9% |
| Aprilpeak | 3,362 | 11.4% |
| May | 2,890 | 9.8% |
| June | 2,408 | 8.2% |
| July | 1,995 | 6.8% |
| August | 1,605 | 5.4% |
| September | 1,379 | 4.7% |
| October | 1,691 | 5.7% |
| November | 2,244 | 7.6% |
| December | 2,568 | 8.7% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | 14,756 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 6,873 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 3,241 |
| Northern Harrier | 2,025 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 706 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 531 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 413 |
| Golden Eagle | 344 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
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 24 to 56 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 35°F | 24°F | 4.5" |
| Feb | 36°F | 22°F | 2.8" |
| Marbest time | 46°F | 28°F | 1.2" |
| Aprbest time | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| May | 67°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
| Jun | 76°F | 51°F | 0.9" |
| Jul | 86°F | 57°F | 0.2" |
| Aug | 86°F | 58°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 74°F | 50°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 59°F | 39°F | 1.7" |
| Nov | 42°F | 29°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 33°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Washington. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in Washington:
Sightings of hawks in Washington peak in April, when 3,362 of the year's 29,545 verified observations are logged — about 11.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, January and March.
The quietest stretch is September, August and October, when hawks are hardest to find — September sees just 1,379 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 Washington are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper's 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 Washington
- Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve — National Historical Reserve
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Mount Rainier National Park — National Park
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Washington?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, January and March, based on 29,545 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Washington?+
September is the quietest month for hawks in Washington, with only 1,379 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Washington?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Washington