Bats in Maryland in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see bats in Maryland. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 148 of the 927 sightings logged across the year (16%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Peak month for bats in Maryland
16%
of yearly sightings
148
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
927
verified records a year
April 12.1%, May 16%, June 9.1%. Busiest month is May at 16%.
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 |
In Maryland, May carries 16% of the year's bats sightings, about 7.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (12.1%) into May, and it heads toward June (9.1%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The bats most often recorded in Maryland are Eastern Red Bat, Big Brown Bat and Silver-haired Bat. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which bats you are most likely to see
- Eastern Red Bat310 records
- Big Brown Bat219 records
- Silver-haired Bat63 records
- Northern Hoary Bat21 records
- Tri-coloured Bat21 records
- Little Brown Bat8 records
Plan your bat trip in Maryland
Start with live tours near Antietam National Battlefield, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Antietam National Battlefield
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bat viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Antietam National Battlefield
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bat viewing area in Maryland.
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Broader backupBook a bat tour in Maryland
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 Maryland in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 148 of the 927 verified bats sightings logged in Maryland across the year, which is 16% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bats in Maryland?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, April and September.
What month is best for bats in Maryland?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, April and September, based on 927 verified observations.
Which bats are you most likely to see in Maryland?+
The most-recorded species in Maryland are Eastern Red Bat, Big Brown Bat and Silver-haired Bat, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bats in Maryland in other months
More places to see bats
More wildlife in Maryland