Best Time to See Hawks in Wisconsin
April, May and March is the best time to see hawks in Wisconsin. Based on 10,019 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks are most active across the year in Wisconsin.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
10,019 verified observations of hawks in Wisconsin, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Wisconsin
Peak month
April
1,143 records (11.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 837 | 8.4% |
| February | 806 | 8% |
| Marchpeak | 1,060 | 10.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,143 | 11.4% |
| Maypeak | 1,071 | 10.7% |
| June | 690 | 6.9% |
| July | 739 | 7.4% |
| August | 885 | 8.8% |
| September | 768 | 7.7% |
| October | 726 | 7.2% |
| November | 624 | 6.2% |
| December | 670 | 6.7% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | 3,844 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 3,078 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1,403 |
| Northern Harrier | 425 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 398 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 317 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 181 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 103 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Wisconsin
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 21 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25°F | 10°F | 1.4" |
| Feb | 25°F | 7°F | 2" |
| Marbest time | 40°F | 21°F | 2.7" |
| Aprbest time | 52°F | 32°F | 3.9" |
| Maybest time | 65°F | 45°F | 3.4" |
| Jun | 77°F | 57°F | 3.8" |
| Jul | 80°F | 61°F | 3.5" |
| Aug | 77°F | 60°F | 3.5" |
| Sep | 70°F | 53°F | 3" |
| Oct | 55°F | 40°F | 3.3" |
| Nov | 41°F | 27°F | 2.4" |
| Dec | 32°F | 17°F | 1.9" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Wisconsin. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on hawks in Wisconsin:
Sightings of hawks in Wisconsin peak in April, when 1,143 of the year's 10,019 verified observations are logged — about 11.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and March.
The quietest stretch is November, December and June, when hawks are hardest to find — November sees just 624 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 Wisconsin are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper's 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 Wisconsin
- Apostle Islands National Lakeshore — National Lakeshore
- Ice Age National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway — National Scenic Riverway
- Horicon NWR (general) (please use more precise locations)
- Manitowoc Lakefront
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Wisconsin?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 10,019 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Wisconsin?+
November is the quietest month for hawks in Wisconsin, with only 624 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Wisconsin?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Wisconsin, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Wisconsin