Hawks in West Virginia in December
Yes, December is a good month to see hawks in West Virginia. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 156 of the 1,769 sightings logged across the year (8.8%), 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 West Virginia
8.8%
of yearly sightings
156
records in December
#5
busiest month of 12
1,769
verified records a year
November 5.9%, December 8.8%, January 12.5%. 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, December carries 8.8% of the year's hawks sightings, about 0.5 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from November (5.9%) into December, and it heads toward January (12.5%) after. The busiest month is January (12.5%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
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 December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December 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.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main hawk viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best hawk viewing area in West Virginia.
Viator
Broader backupBook a hawk tour in West Virginia
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 West Virginia in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 156 of the 1,769 verified hawks sightings logged in West Virginia across the year, which is 8.8% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see hawks in West Virginia?+
December is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though January and April is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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