Bats in New York in April

Yes, April is a good month to see bats in New York. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 179 of the 1,465 sightings logged across the year (12.2%), 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 30, 2026.

Eastern Red Bat photographed in New YorkLittle Brown Bat photographed in New YorkEastern Red Bat photographed in New York
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for bats in New York

12.2%

of yearly sightings

179

records in April

#4

busiest month of 12

1,465

verified records a year

March 5.6%, April 12.2%, May 15.4%. Busiest month is August at 17%.

Best months: August, May, JulyPeak season right now

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)

Quietest month

January

27 records

MonthObservationsShare
January271.8%
February422.9%
March825.6%
April17912.2%
Maypeak22615.4%
June1298.8%
Julypeak18012.3%
Augustpeak24917%
September14810.1%
October946.4%
November694.7%
December402.7%

Bats you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Big Brown Bat394
Eastern Red Bat347
Silver-haired Bat129
Little Brown Bat88
Northern Hoary Bat30
Tri-coloured Bat25
Eastern Small-footed Myotis12
Northern Myotis8

In New York, April carries 12.2% of the year's bats sightings, about 3.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from March (5.6%) into April, and it heads toward May (15.4%) after. The busiest month is August (17%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The bats most often recorded in New York are Big Brown Bat, Eastern Red Bat and Silver-haired Bat. Those counts are annual totals rather than a April split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in April itself.

Which bats you are most likely to see

  • Big Brown Bat394 records
  • Eastern Red Bat347 records
  • Silver-haired Bat129 records
  • Little Brown Bat88 records
  • Northern Hoary Bat30 records
  • Tri-coloured Bat25 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

Plan your bat trip in New York

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 New York in April?+

Yes. April accounts for 179 of the 1,465 verified bats sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 12.2% of the annual total.

Is April a good time to see bats in New York?+

April is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though August and May is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for bats in New York?+

August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, May and July, based on 1,465 verified observations.

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

The most-recorded species in New York are Big Brown Bat, Eastern Red Bat and Silver-haired Bat, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.