Bats in Massachusetts in September

Yes, September is a good month to see bats in Massachusetts. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 59 of the 652 sightings logged across the year (9%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Big Brown Bat photographed in MassachusettsBig Brown Bat photographed in MassachusettsBig Brown Bat photographed in Massachusetts
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for bats in Massachusetts

9%

of yearly sightings

59

records in September

#6

busiest month of 12

652

verified records a year

August 18.4%, September 9%, October 8.1%. Busiest month is August at 18.4%.

Best months: August, May, JulyPeak season right now

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)

Quietest month

December

11 records

MonthObservationsShare
January121.8%
February142.1%
March345.2%
April7010.7%
Maypeak10215.6%
June629.5%
Julypeak8813.5%
Augustpeak12018.4%
September599%
October538.1%
November274.1%
December111.7%

Bats you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Big Brown Bat335
Eastern Red Bat57
Little Brown Bat23
Silver-haired Bat22
Northern Myotis11
Tri-coloured Bat9
Northern Hoary Bat8
Eastern Small-footed Myotis1

In Massachusetts, September carries 9% of the year's bats sightings, about 0.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from August (18.4%) into September, and it heads toward October (8.1%) after. The busiest month is August (18.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

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 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

  • 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 tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

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.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see bats in Massachusetts in September?+

Yes. September accounts for 59 of the 652 verified bats sightings logged in Massachusetts across the year, which is 9% of the annual total.

Is September a good time to see bats in Massachusetts?+

September is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though August and May is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

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.