Bats in North Carolina in August

Yes, August is a good month to see bats in North Carolina. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 123 of the 1,309 sightings logged across the year (9.4%), 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 July 2, 2026.

Silver-haired Bat photographed in North CarolinaMexican Free-tailed Bat photographed in North CarolinaBig Brown Bat photographed in North Carolina
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for bats in North Carolina

9.4%

of yearly sightings

123

records in August

#4

busiest month of 12

1,309

verified records a year

July 14.7%, August 9.4%, September 7.2%. Busiest month is June at 15%.

Best months: June, July, AprilPeak season right now

1,309 verified observations of bats in North Carolina, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When bats are recorded in North Carolina

Peak month

June

197 records (15% of the year)

Quietest month

December

47 records

MonthObservationsShare
January534%
February755.7%
March1189%
Aprilpeak15411.8%
May1078.2%
Junepeak19715%
Julypeak19314.7%
August1239.4%
September947.2%
October876.6%
November614.7%
December473.6%

Bats you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Big Brown Bat307
Eastern Red Bat232
Tri-coloured Bat114
Silver-haired Bat64
Mexican Free-tailed Bat53
Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat35
Evening Bat27
Seminole Bat22

In North Carolina, August carries 9.4% of the year's bats sightings, about 1.1 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 easing off from July (14.7%) into August, and it heads toward September (7.2%) after. The busiest month is June (15%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

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

Which bats you are most likely to see

  • Big Brown Bat307 records
  • Eastern Red Bat232 records
  • Tri-coloured Bat114 records
  • Silver-haired Bat64 records
  • Mexican Free-tailed Bat53 records
  • Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat35 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

Plan your bat trip in North Carolina

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 North Carolina in August?+

Yes. August accounts for 123 of the 1,309 verified bats sightings logged in North Carolina across the year, which is 9.4% of the annual total.

Is August a good time to see bats in North Carolina?+

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

What month is best for bats in North Carolina?+

June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and April, based on 1,309 verified observations.

Which bats are you most likely to see in North Carolina?+

The most-recorded species in North Carolina are Big Brown Bat, Eastern Red Bat and Tri-coloured Bat, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.