Bats in California in September
Yes, September is one of the best months to see bats in California. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 882 of the 7,270 sightings logged across the year (12.1%), 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 bats in California
12.1%
of yearly sightings
882
records in September
#3
busiest month of 12
7,270
verified records a year
August 13.1%, September 12.1%, October 10.8%. 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, September carries 12.1% of the year's bats sightings, about 3.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between August and September, and it heads toward October (10.8%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so September is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
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 September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September 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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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bat viewing area.
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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 bats in California in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 882 of the 7,270 verified bats sightings logged in California across the year, which is 12.1% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see bats in California?+
September is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of July, August and September.
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