Bats in West Virginia in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see bats in West Virginia. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 39 of the 336 sightings logged across the year (11.6%), 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.
Peak month for bats in West Virginia
11.6%
of yearly sightings
39
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
336
verified records a year
April 5.1%, May 11.6%, June 17.3%. Busiest month is June at 17.3%.
336 verified observations of bats in West Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bats are recorded in West Virginia
Peak month
June
58 records (17.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 6 | 1.8% |
| February | 31 | 9.2% |
| March | 31 | 9.2% |
| April | 17 | 5.1% |
| Maypeak | 39 | 11.6% |
| Junepeak | 58 | 17.3% |
| Julypeak | 51 | 15.2% |
| August | 27 | 8% |
| September | 27 | 8% |
| October | 25 | 7.4% |
| November | 12 | 3.6% |
| December | 12 | 3.6% |
Bats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Big Brown Bat | 79 |
| Tri-coloured Bat | 43 |
| Eastern Red Bat | 42 |
| Eastern Small-footed Myotis | 17 |
| Townsend's Big-eared Bat | 15 |
| Northern Hoary Bat | 14 |
| Silver-haired Bat | 14 |
| Little Brown Bat | 9 |
In West Virginia, May carries 11.6% of the year's bats sightings, about 3.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (5.1%) into May, and it heads toward June (17.3%) 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 West Virginia are Big Brown Bat, Tri-coloured Bat and Eastern Red 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 Bat79 records
- Tri-coloured Bat43 records
- Eastern Red Bat42 records
- Eastern Small-footed Myotis17 records
- Townsend's Big-eared Bat15 records
- Northern Hoary Bat14 records
Plan your bat trip in West 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.
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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bat viewing area.
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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 West Virginia in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 39 of the 336 verified bats sightings logged in West Virginia across the year, which is 11.6% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bats in West Virginia?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and May.
What month is best for bats in West Virginia?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and May, based on 336 verified observations.
Which bats are you most likely to see in West Virginia?+
The most-recorded species in West Virginia are Big Brown Bat, Tri-coloured Bat and Eastern Red Bat, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bats in West Virginia in other months
More places to see bats
More wildlife in West Virginia