Bats in Washington in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bats in Washington. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 95 of the 953 sightings logged across the year (10%), 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 28, 2026.
Good month for bats in Washington
10%
of yearly sightings
95
records in May
#5
busiest month of 12
953
verified records a year
April 8.9%, May 10%, June 11.6%. Busiest month is August at 21.9%.
953 verified observations of bats in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bats are recorded in Washington
Peak month
August
209 records (21.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 25 | 2.6% |
| February | 29 | 3% |
| March | 58 | 6.1% |
| April | 85 | 8.9% |
| May | 95 | 10% |
| June | 111 | 11.6% |
| Julypeak | 138 | 14.5% |
| Augustpeak | 209 | 21.9% |
| Septemberpeak | 116 | 12.2% |
| October | 40 | 4.2% |
| November | 28 | 2.9% |
| December | 19 | 2% |
Bats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Little Brown Bat | 77 |
| Silver-haired Bat | 70 |
| Big Brown Bat | 64 |
| Townsend's Big-eared Bat | 53 |
| California Myotis | 37 |
| Long-eared Myotis | 26 |
| Yuma Myotis | 15 |
| Northern Hoary Bat | 11 |
In Washington, May carries 10% of the year's bats sightings, about 1.7 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 rising from April (8.9%) into May, and it heads toward June (11.6%) after. The busiest month is August (21.9%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bats most often recorded in Washington are Little Brown Bat, Silver-haired Bat and Big Brown 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
- Little Brown Bat77 records
- Silver-haired Bat70 records
- Big Brown Bat64 records
- Townsend's Big-eared Bat53 records
- California Myotis37 records
- Long-eared Myotis26 records
Plan your bat trip in Washington
Start with live tours near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
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 Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bat viewing area in Washington.
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Broader backupBook a bat tour in Washington
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 Washington in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 95 of the 953 verified bats sightings logged in Washington across the year, which is 10% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bats in Washington?+
May is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though August and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bats in Washington?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, July and September, based on 953 verified observations.
Which bats are you most likely to see in Washington?+
The most-recorded species in Washington are Little Brown Bat, Silver-haired Bat and Big Brown Bat, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bats in Washington in other months
More places to see bats
More wildlife in Washington