Best Time to See Hawks in West Virginia
January, April and February is the best time to see hawks in West Virginia. Based on 1,769 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in West 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 · Matthew Gerke CC BY
Red-tailed Hawk · Hunter Hammil CC BY
Red-tailed Hawk · William J. Deml CC BY
1,769 verified observations of hawks in West Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in West Virginia
Peak month
January
222 records (12.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 222 | 12.5% |
| Februarypeak | 192 | 10.9% |
| March | 164 | 9.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 197 | 11.1% |
| May | 127 | 7.2% |
| June | 101 | 5.7% |
| July | 108 | 6.1% |
| August | 127 | 7.2% |
| September | 148 | 8.4% |
| October | 123 | 7% |
| November | 104 | 5.9% |
| December | 156 | 8.8% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | 469 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 415 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 394 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 176 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 127 |
| Golden Eagle | 35 |
| Northern Harrier | 34 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 33 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in West 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 26 to 61 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 41°F | 26°F | 4.8" |
| Febbest time | 46°F | 28°F | 5.5" |
| Mar | 54°F | 34°F | 4.5" |
| Aprbest time | 61°F | 41°F | 4.4" |
| May | 69°F | 51°F | 6.5" |
| Jun | 76°F | 59°F | 5.3" |
| Jul | 81°F | 65°F | 5.1" |
| Aug | 78°F | 63°F | 4.9" |
| Sep | 74°F | 57°F | 3.5" |
| Oct | 64°F | 48°F | 4.1" |
| Nov | 52°F | 35°F | 2.9" |
| Dec | 46°F | 31°F | 4.9" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for West Virginia. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of hawks in West Virginia peak in January, when 222 of the year's 1,769 verified observations are logged — about 12.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, April and February.
The quietest stretch is June, November and July, when hawks are hardest to find — June sees just 101 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 West Virginia are Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk 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 West Virginia
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Bluestone National Scenic River — National Scenic River
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Chesapeake Bay
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- New River Gorge National Park & Preserve — National Park & Preserve
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in West Virginia?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, April and February, based on 1,769 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in West Virginia?+
June is the quietest month for hawks in West Virginia, with only 101 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in West Virginia?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in West Virginia, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in West Virginia