Hawks in West Virginia in April
Yes, April is one of the best months to see hawks in West Virginia. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 197 of the 1,769 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 West Virginia
11.1%
of yearly sightings
197
records in April
#2
busiest month of 12
1,769
verified records a year
March 9.3%, April 11.1%, May 7.2%. Busiest month is January at 12.5%.
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 |
In West Virginia, April 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 March (9.3%) into April, and it heads toward May (7.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so April is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The hawks most often recorded in West Virginia are Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a April split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in April itself.
Which hawks 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 hawk 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.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see hawks in West Virginia in April?+
Yes. April accounts for 197 of the 1,769 verified hawks sightings logged in West Virginia across the year, which is 11.1% of the annual total.
Is April a good time to see hawks in West Virginia?+
April is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of January, April and February.
What month is best for hawks 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 hawks 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.
See hawks in West Virginia in other months
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in West Virginia