Bats in Massachusetts in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see bats in Massachusetts. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 102 of the 652 sightings logged across the year (15.6%), 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 Massachusetts
15.6%
of yearly sightings
102
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
652
verified records a year
April 10.7%, May 15.6%, June 9.5%. Busiest month is August at 18.4%.
652 verified observations of bats in Massachusetts, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bats are recorded in Massachusetts
Peak month
August
120 records (18.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 12 | 1.8% |
| February | 14 | 2.1% |
| March | 34 | 5.2% |
| April | 70 | 10.7% |
| Maypeak | 102 | 15.6% |
| June | 62 | 9.5% |
| Julypeak | 88 | 13.5% |
| Augustpeak | 120 | 18.4% |
| September | 59 | 9% |
| October | 53 | 8.1% |
| November | 27 | 4.1% |
| December | 11 | 1.7% |
Bats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Big Brown Bat | 335 |
| Eastern Red Bat | 57 |
| Little Brown Bat | 23 |
| Silver-haired Bat | 22 |
| Northern Myotis | 11 |
| Tri-coloured Bat | 9 |
| Northern Hoary Bat | 8 |
| Eastern Small-footed Myotis | 1 |
In Massachusetts, May carries 15.6% of the year's bats sightings, about 7.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (10.7%) into May, and it heads toward June (9.5%) 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 Massachusetts are Big Brown Bat, Eastern Red Bat and Little Brown 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
- Big Brown Bat335 records
- Eastern Red Bat57 records
- Little Brown Bat23 records
- Silver-haired Bat22 records
- Northern Myotis11 records
- Tri-coloured Bat9 records
Plan your bat trip in Massachusetts
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bat viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bat viewing area in Massachusetts.
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Broader backupBook a bat tour in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 102 of the 652 verified bats sightings logged in Massachusetts across the year, which is 15.6% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bats in Massachusetts?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of August, May and July.
What month is best for bats in Massachusetts?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, May and July, based on 652 verified observations.
Which bats are you most likely to see in Massachusetts?+
The most-recorded species in Massachusetts are Big Brown Bat, Eastern Red Bat and Little Brown Bat, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bats in Massachusetts in other months
More places to see bats
More wildlife in Massachusetts