Best Time to See Bats in New York
August, May and July is the best time to see bats in New York. Based on 1,465 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bats are most active across the year in New York.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 30, 2026.
Big Brown Bat · rhododendrites CC BY-SA
Eastern Red Bat · Oliver Clarke CC BY
Big Brown Bat · Public domain CC0
1,465 verified observations of bats in New York, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bats are recorded in New York
Peak month
August
249 records (17% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 27 | 1.8% |
| February | 42 | 2.9% |
| March | 82 | 5.6% |
| April | 179 | 12.2% |
| Maypeak | 226 | 15.4% |
| June | 129 | 8.8% |
| Julypeak | 180 | 12.3% |
| Augustpeak | 249 | 17% |
| September | 148 | 10.1% |
| October | 94 | 6.4% |
| November | 69 | 4.7% |
| December | 40 | 2.7% |
Bats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Big Brown Bat | 394 |
| Eastern Red Bat | 347 |
| Silver-haired Bat | 129 |
| Little Brown Bat | 88 |
| Northern Hoary Bat | 30 |
| Tri-coloured Bat | 25 |
| Eastern Small-footed Myotis | 12 |
| Northern Myotis | 8 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New York
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bats are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bats sit around 45 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°F | 15°F | 3.7" |
| Feb | 32°F | 16°F | 3.6" |
| Mar | 41°F | 23°F | 3.8" |
| Apr | 52°F | 34°F | 4.9" |
| Maybest time | 63°F | 45°F | 3.9" |
| Jun | 72°F | 55°F | 3.8" |
| Julbest time | 77°F | 61°F | 5.3" |
| Augbest time | 75°F | 60°F | 5.3" |
| Sep | 68°F | 53°F | 3.4" |
| Oct | 58°F | 44°F | 5.1" |
| Nov | 43°F | 30°F | 3.3" |
| Dec | 36°F | 24°F | 4.7" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New York. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on bats in New York:
Sightings of bats in New York peak in August, when 249 of the year's 1,465 verified observations are logged — about 17% of the annual total. Activity stays high through August, May and July.
The quietest stretch is January and December, when bats are hardest to find — January sees just 27 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The bats you are most likely to encounter in New York are Big Brown Bat, Eastern Red Bat and Silver-haired Bat — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see bats in New York
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
- Fire Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Martin Van Buren National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- National Parks of New York Harbor
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bats in New York?+
August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, May and July, based on 1,465 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bats hardest to see in New York?+
January is the quietest month for bats in New York, with only 27 verified records.
Are bats active year-round in New York?+
Bats are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New York, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in August.
More places to see bats
More wildlife in New York