Eagles in West Virginia in September

Yes, September is a good month to see eagles in West Virginia. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 148 of the 1,769 sightings logged across the year (8.4%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Red-tailed × Red-shouldered Hawk photographed in West VirginiaBald Eagle photographed in West VirginiaGolden Eagle photographed in West Virginia
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for eagles in West Virginia

8.4%

of yearly sightings

148

records in September

#6

busiest month of 12

1,769

verified records a year

August 7.2%, September 8.4%, October 7%. Busiest month is January at 12.5%.

Best months: January, April, February

1,769 verified observations of eagles in West Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When eagles are recorded in West Virginia

Peak month

January

222 records (12.5% of the year)

Quietest month

June

101 records

MonthObservationsShare
Januarypeak22212.5%
Februarypeak19210.9%
March1649.3%
Aprilpeak19711.1%
May1277.2%
June1015.7%
July1086.1%
August1277.2%
September1488.4%
October1237%
November1045.9%
December1568.8%

Eagles you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Bald Eagle469
Red-shouldered Hawk415
Red-tailed Hawk394
Cooper's Hawk176
Broad-winged Hawk127
Golden Eagle35
Northern Harrier34
Sharp-shinned Hawk33

In West Virginia, September carries 8.4% of the year's eagles sightings, about 0.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from August (7.2%) into September, and it heads toward October (7%) after. The busiest month is January (12.5%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The eagles most often recorded in West Virginia are Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September itself.

Which eagles you are most likely to see

  • Bald Eagle469 records
  • Red-shouldered Hawk415 records
  • Red-tailed Hawk394 records
  • Cooper's Hawk176 records
  • Broad-winged Hawk127 records
  • Golden Eagle35 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

Plan your eagle trip in West 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.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see eagles in West Virginia in September?+

Yes. September accounts for 148 of the 1,769 verified eagles sightings logged in West Virginia across the year, which is 8.4% of the annual total.

Is September a good time to see eagles in West Virginia?+

September is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though January and April is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for eagles in West Virginia?+

January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, April and February, based on 1,769 verified observations.

Which eagles are you most likely to see in West Virginia?+

The most-recorded species in West Virginia are Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.