Bats in New York in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see bats in New York. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 226 of the 1,465 sightings logged across the year (15.4%), 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 30, 2026.
Peak month for bats in New York
15.4%
of yearly sightings
226
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
1,465
verified records a year
April 12.2%, May 15.4%, June 8.8%. Busiest month is August at 17%.
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 |
In New York, May carries 15.4% of the year's bats sightings, about 7.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (12.2%) into May, and it heads toward June (8.8%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
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 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 Bat394 records
- Eastern Red Bat347 records
- Silver-haired Bat129 records
- Little Brown Bat88 records
- Northern Hoary Bat30 records
- Tri-coloured Bat25 records
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.
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 York.
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Broader backupBook a bat tour in New York
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 York in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 226 of the 1,465 verified bats sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 15.4% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bats in New York?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of August, May and July.
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.
See bats in New York in other months
More places to see bats