Bats in North Carolina in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bats in North Carolina. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 107 of the 1,309 sightings logged across the year (8.2%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Good month for bats in North Carolina
8.2%
of yearly sightings
107
records in May
#6
busiest month of 12
1,309
verified records a year
April 11.8%, May 8.2%, June 15%. Busiest month is June at 15%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 53 | 4% |
| February | 75 | 5.7% |
| March | 118 | 9% |
| Aprilpeak | 154 | 11.8% |
| May | 107 | 8.2% |
| Junepeak | 197 | 15% |
| Julypeak | 193 | 14.7% |
| August | 123 | 9.4% |
| September | 94 | 7.2% |
| October | 87 | 6.6% |
| November | 61 | 4.7% |
| December | 47 | 3.6% |
Bats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Big Brown Bat | 307 |
| Eastern Red Bat | 232 |
| Tri-coloured Bat | 114 |
| Silver-haired Bat | 64 |
| Mexican Free-tailed Bat | 53 |
| Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat | 35 |
| Evening Bat | 27 |
| Seminole Bat | 22 |
In North Carolina, May carries 8.2% of the year's bats sightings, about 0.1 points below an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (11.8%) into May, and it heads toward June (15%) 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 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 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 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.
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 North Carolina.
Viator
Broader backupBook a bat tour in North Carolina
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 North Carolina in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 107 of the 1,309 verified bats sightings logged in North Carolina across the year, which is 8.2% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bats in North Carolina?+
May is the 6th 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.
See bats in North Carolina in other months
More places to see bats
More wildlife in North Carolina