Bats in Virginia in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bats in Virginia. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 157 of the 1,613 sightings logged across the year (9.7%), 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 Virginia
9.7%
of yearly sightings
157
records in May
#5
busiest month of 12
1,613
verified records a year
April 11.8%, May 9.7%, June 13.9%. Busiest month is July at 14.7%.
1,613 verified observations of bats in Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bats are recorded in Virginia
Peak month
July
237 records (14.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 45 | 2.8% |
| February | 77 | 4.8% |
| March | 112 | 6.9% |
| Aprilpeak | 191 | 11.8% |
| May | 157 | 9.7% |
| Junepeak | 224 | 13.9% |
| Julypeak | 237 | 14.7% |
| August | 182 | 11.3% |
| September | 118 | 7.3% |
| October | 118 | 7.3% |
| November | 84 | 5.2% |
| December | 68 | 4.2% |
Bats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Big Brown Bat | 351 |
| Eastern Red Bat | 339 |
| Tri-coloured Bat | 154 |
| Silver-haired Bat | 141 |
| Eastern Small-footed Myotis | 97 |
| Evening Bat | 63 |
| Northern Hoary Bat | 31 |
| Little Brown Bat | 17 |
In Virginia, May carries 9.7% of the year's bats sightings, about 1.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th 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 (13.9%) after. The busiest month is July (14.7%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bats most often recorded in Virginia 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 Bat351 records
- Eastern Red Bat339 records
- Tri-coloured Bat154 records
- Silver-haired Bat141 records
- Eastern Small-footed Myotis97 records
- Evening Bat63 records
Plan your bat trip in Virginia
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 Virginia.
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Broader backupBook a bat tour in Virginia
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 Virginia in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 157 of the 1,613 verified bats sightings logged in Virginia across the year, which is 9.7% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bats in Virginia?+
May is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though July and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bats in Virginia?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, June and April, based on 1,613 verified observations.
Which bats are you most likely to see in Virginia?+
The most-recorded species in Virginia are Big Brown Bat, Eastern Red Bat and Tri-coloured Bat, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bats in Virginia in other months
More places to see bats
More wildlife in Virginia