Bats in New Hampshire in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bats in New Hampshire. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 22 of the 221 sightings logged across the year (10%), 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.
Good month for bats in New Hampshire
10%
of yearly sightings
22
records in May
#5
busiest month of 12
221
verified records a year
April 6.8%, May 10%, June 11.3%. Busiest month is August at 24.4%.
221 verified observations of bats in New Hampshire, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bats are recorded in New Hampshire
Peak month
August
54 records (24.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | 0.5% |
| February | 5 | 2.3% |
| March | 8 | 3.6% |
| April | 15 | 6.8% |
| May | 22 | 10% |
| June | 25 | 11.3% |
| Julypeak | 44 | 19.9% |
| Augustpeak | 54 | 24.4% |
| Septemberpeak | 31 | 14% |
| October | 9 | 4.1% |
| November | 4 | 1.8% |
| December | 3 | 1.4% |
Bats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Big Brown Bat | 101 |
| Little Brown Bat | 12 |
| Eastern Red Bat | 9 |
| Eastern Small-footed Myotis | 4 |
| Northern Hoary Bat | 2 |
| Northern Myotis | 2 |
| Silver-haired Bat | 1 |
| Tri-coloured Bat | 1 |
In New Hampshire, May carries 10% of the year's bats sightings, about 1.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (6.8%) into May, and it heads toward June (11.3%) after. The busiest month is August (24.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bats most often recorded in New Hampshire are Big Brown Bat, Little Brown Bat and Eastern Red 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 Bat101 records
- Little Brown Bat12 records
- Eastern Red Bat9 records
- Eastern Small-footed Myotis4 records
- Northern Hoary Bat2 records
- Northern Myotis2 records
Plan your bat trip in New Hampshire
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.
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Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bat viewing area in New Hampshire.
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Broader backupBook a bat tour in New Hampshire
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 New Hampshire in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 22 of the 221 verified bats sightings logged in New Hampshire across the year, which is 10% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bats in New Hampshire?+
May is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though August and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bats in New Hampshire?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, July and September, based on 221 verified observations.
Which bats are you most likely to see in New Hampshire?+
The most-recorded species in New Hampshire are Big Brown Bat, Little Brown Bat and Eastern Red Bat, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bats in New Hampshire in other months
More places to see bats
More wildlife in New Hampshire