Best Time to See Bats in Maryland
May, April and September is the best time to see bats in Maryland. Based on 927 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bats are most active across the year in Maryland.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Seminole Bat · Hila Taylor CC BY
Big Brown Bat · botanygirl CC BY
Eastern Red Bat · Hila Taylor CC BY
927 verified observations of bats in Maryland, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bats are recorded in Maryland
Peak month
May
148 records (16% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 33 | 3.6% |
| February | 31 | 3.3% |
| March | 66 | 7.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 112 | 12.1% |
| Maypeak | 148 | 16% |
| June | 84 | 9.1% |
| July | 80 | 8.6% |
| August | 86 | 9.3% |
| Septemberpeak | 90 | 9.7% |
| October | 62 | 6.7% |
| November | 81 | 8.7% |
| December | 54 | 5.8% |
Bats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Eastern Red Bat | 310 |
| Big Brown Bat | 219 |
| Silver-haired Bat | 63 |
| Northern Hoary Bat | 21 |
| Tri-coloured Bat | 21 |
| Little Brown Bat | 8 |
| Evening Bat | 6 |
| Eastern Small-footed Myotis | 4 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Maryland
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bats are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bats sit around 45 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44°F | 30°F | 3.3" |
| Feb | 48°F | 31°F | 3.9" |
| Mar | 56°F | 37°F | 3.9" |
| Aprbest time | 66°F | 45°F | 4.7" |
| Maybest time | 73°F | 54°F | 4.7" |
| Jun | 83°F | 64°F | 5.4" |
| Jul | 89°F | 70°F | 7.3" |
| Aug | 85°F | 69°F | 7.6" |
| Sepbest time | 79°F | 62°F | 4.9" |
| Oct | 69°F | 52°F | 4.9" |
| Nov | 56°F | 40°F | 3.2" |
| Dec | 49°F | 34°F | 4.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Maryland. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of bats in Maryland peak in May, when 148 of the year's 927 verified observations are logged — about 16% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and September.
The quietest stretch is February and January, when bats are hardest to find — February sees just 31 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The bats you are most likely to encounter in Maryland are Eastern Red Bat, Big Brown Bat and Silver-haired Bat — 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 bats in Maryland
- Antietam National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Assateague Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Chesapeake Bay
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bats in Maryland?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and September, based on 927 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bats hardest to see in Maryland?+
February is the quietest month for bats in Maryland, with only 31 verified records.
Are bats active year-round in Maryland?+
Bats are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Maryland, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see bats
More wildlife in Maryland