Bats in California in October
Yes, October is a good month to see bats in California. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 782 of the 7,270 sightings logged across the year (10.8%), 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 bats in California
10.8%
of yearly sightings
782
records in October
#5
busiest month of 12
7,270
verified records a year
September 12.1%, October 10.8%, November 3.6%. Busiest month is July at 13.8%.
7,270 verified observations of bats in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bats are recorded in California
Peak month
July
1,001 records (13.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 231 | 3.2% |
| February | 234 | 3.2% |
| March | 464 | 6.4% |
| April | 818 | 11.3% |
| May | 730 | 10% |
| June | 767 | 10.6% |
| Julypeak | 1,001 | 13.8% |
| Augustpeak | 951 | 13.1% |
| Septemberpeak | 882 | 12.1% |
| October | 782 | 10.8% |
| November | 261 | 3.6% |
| December | 149 | 2% |
Bats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mexican Free-tailed Bat | 1,061 |
| Pallid Bat | 420 |
| Canyon Bat | 415 |
| Big Brown Bat | 413 |
| Northern Hoary Bat | 409 |
| Townsend's Big-eared Bat | 348 |
| California Myotis | 227 |
| Yuma Myotis | 225 |
In California, October carries 10.8% of the year's bats sightings, about 2.5 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 easing off from September (12.1%) into October, and it heads toward November (3.6%) after. The busiest month is July (13.8%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bats most often recorded in California are Mexican Free-tailed Bat, Pallid Bat and Canyon Bat. Those counts are annual totals rather than a October split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in October itself.
Which bats you are most likely to see
- Mexican Free-tailed Bat1,061 records
- Pallid Bat420 records
- Canyon Bat415 records
- Big Brown Bat413 records
- Northern Hoary Bat409 records
- Townsend's Big-eared Bat348 records
Plan your bat trip in California
Start with live tours near Alcatraz Island, 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 bats in California in October?+
Yes. October accounts for 782 of the 7,270 verified bats sightings logged in California across the year, which is 10.8% of the annual total.
Is October a good time to see bats in California?+
October is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though July and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bats in California?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and September, based on 7,270 verified observations.
Which bats are you most likely to see in California?+
The most-recorded species in California are Mexican Free-tailed Bat, Pallid Bat and Canyon Bat, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bats in California in other months
More places to see bats
More wildlife in California