Hawks in Washington in May
Yes, May is a good month to see hawks in Washington. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 2,890 of the 29,545 sightings logged across the year (9.8%), 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 Washington
9.8%
of yearly sightings
2,890
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
29,545
verified records a year
April 11.4%, May 9.8%, June 8.2%. Busiest month is April at 11.4%.
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 |
In Washington, May carries 9.8% of the year's hawks sightings, about 1.5 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 (11.4%) into May, and it heads toward June (8.2%) after. The busiest month is April (11.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The hawks most often recorded in Washington are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper's 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
- Bald Eagle14,756 records
- Red-tailed Hawk6,873 records
- Cooper's Hawk3,241 records
- Northern Harrier2,025 records
- Sharp-shinned Hawk706 records
- Rough-legged Hawk531 records
Plan your hawk trip in Washington
Start with live tours near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main hawk viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
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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 Washington in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 2,890 of the 29,545 verified hawks sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 9.8% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see hawks in Washington?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though April and January is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for hawks in Washington?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, January and March, based on 29,545 verified observations.
Which hawks are you most likely to see in Washington?+
The most-recorded species in Washington are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper's Hawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See hawks in Washington in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Washington