Bats in New Mexico in July

Yes, July is one of the best months to see bats in New Mexico. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 166 of the 1,057 sightings logged across the year (15.7%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

T

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

Northern Hoary Bat photographed in New MexicoTownsend's Big-eared Bat photographed in New MexicoNorthern Hoary Bat photographed in New Mexico
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for bats in New Mexico

15.7%

of yearly sightings

166

records in July

#3

busiest month of 12

1,057

verified records a year

June 17.7%, July 15.7%, August 15.2%. Busiest month is June at 17.7%.

Best months: June, May, JulyPeak season right now

1,057 verified observations of bats in New Mexico, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When bats are recorded in New Mexico

Peak month

June

187 records (17.7% of the year)

Quietest month

December

7 records

MonthObservationsShare
January111%
February171.6%
March252.4%
April11210.6%
Maypeak18617.6%
Junepeak18717.7%
Julypeak16615.7%
August16115.2%
September12211.5%
October444.2%
November191.8%
December70.7%

Bats you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Pallid Bat132
Mexican Free-tailed Bat97
Big Brown Bat89
Silver-haired Bat88
Northern Hoary Bat47
Townsend's Big-eared Bat45
Canyon Bat28
Fringed Myotis20

In New Mexico, July carries 15.7% of the year's bats sightings, about 7.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from June (17.7%) into July, and it heads toward August (15.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so July is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

The bats most often recorded in New Mexico are Pallid Bat, Mexican Free-tailed Bat and Big Brown Bat. Those counts are annual totals rather than a July split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in July itself.

Which bats you are most likely to see

  • Pallid Bat132 records
  • Mexican Free-tailed Bat97 records
  • Big Brown Bat89 records
  • Silver-haired Bat88 records
  • Northern Hoary Bat47 records
  • Townsend's Big-eared Bat45 records
Plan your tripBandelier National Monument

Plan your bat trip in New Mexico

Start with live tours near Bandelier National Monument, 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 New Mexico in July?+

Yes. July accounts for 166 of the 1,057 verified bats sightings logged in New Mexico across the year, which is 15.7% of the annual total.

Is July a good time to see bats in New Mexico?+

July is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, May and July.

What month is best for bats in New Mexico?+

June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, May and July, based on 1,057 verified observations.

Which bats are you most likely to see in New Mexico?+

The most-recorded species in New Mexico are Pallid Bat, Mexican Free-tailed Bat and Big Brown Bat, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.