Bats in New Jersey in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bats in New Jersey. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 54 of the 528 sightings logged across the year (10.2%), 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.
Good month for bats in New Jersey
10.2%
of yearly sightings
54
records in May
#5
busiest month of 12
528
verified records a year
April 10.8%, May 10.2%, June 8.3%. Busiest month is September at 14.8%.
528 verified observations of bats in New Jersey, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bats are recorded in New Jersey
Peak month
September
78 records (14.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 11 | 2.1% |
| February | 11 | 2.1% |
| March | 43 | 8.1% |
| April | 57 | 10.8% |
| May | 54 | 10.2% |
| June | 44 | 8.3% |
| Julypeak | 62 | 11.7% |
| Augustpeak | 71 | 13.4% |
| Septemberpeak | 78 | 14.8% |
| October | 54 | 10.2% |
| November | 26 | 4.9% |
| December | 17 | 3.2% |
Bats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Eastern Red Bat | 183 |
| Big Brown Bat | 135 |
| Silver-haired Bat | 52 |
| Northern Hoary Bat | 10 |
| Tri-coloured Bat | 8 |
| Little Brown Bat | 3 |
| Eastern Small-footed Myotis | 2 |
| Evening Bat | 1 |
In New Jersey, May carries 10.2% of the year's bats sightings, about 1.9 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 holds steady between April and May, and it heads toward June (8.3%) after. The busiest month is September (14.8%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bats most often recorded in New Jersey 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 Bat183 records
- Big Brown Bat135 records
- Silver-haired Bat52 records
- Northern Hoary Bat10 records
- Tri-coloured Bat8 records
- Little Brown Bat3 records
Plan your bat trip in New Jersey
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 Jersey.
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Broader backupBook a bat tour in New Jersey
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 Jersey in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 54 of the 528 verified bats sightings logged in New Jersey across the year, which is 10.2% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bats in New Jersey?+
May is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though September and August is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bats in New Jersey?+
September is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through September, August and July, based on 528 verified observations.
Which bats are you most likely to see in New Jersey?+
The most-recorded species in New Jersey are Eastern Red Bat, Big Brown Bat and Silver-haired Bat, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bats in New Jersey in other months
More places to see bats
More wildlife in New Jersey