Several bats are silhouetted against a dusky sky with scattered clouds, flying in various directions at sunset.

Bat Activity Trends

A Woodland Park Zoo Community Science Program

EVENTS

Bat Activity Trends (BAT)

The Bat Activity Trends (BAT) program involves going out to observe bats, right in your own neighborhood. You can participate from a yard, patio, balcony or even a window with a clear view of the sky!

About the program

A person holds a clipboard with a “Bat Activity Trends” data sheet, standing outdoors in a grassy area while a group of people, some seated and some standing, gather in the background at dusk.

Observing Bats! at Schafer State Park

When: Saturday, July 11, 2026, 8:15 – 9:45 p.m.
Where: Schafer State Park, 1365 W Schafer Park Rd, Elma, WA 98541
Cost: Free (No registration required)

No registration required, check the Friends of Sylvia Lake and Schafer State Parks event page for meeting location details. Please bring your own chairs, if you would like to sit during the event.

Join Woodland Park Zoo and Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife to collect bat data at Schafer State Park. Bats are a common wildlife species across Washington state, but their nocturnal habits mean that people often don’t notice them. Taking time to learn how to observe them can change that! Why are bats important? Where do they live? How do I observe bats flying in the evening sky? Learn the answers to these questions and how to collect data on bat activity to help us answer the question: When and where are bats active across the Pacific northwest? This is a fun event for adults and supervised children.

Aerial view of a city neighborhood with the zoo in the center, surrounded by residential and commercial buildings, and a lake visible in the background.

Green Lake Bat Talk

When: Dates and times below
Where: Green Lake, near the Seattle Public Theater, 7312 West Green Lake Dr N, Seattle, WA 98103
Cost: Free (No registration required)

Join Bats Northwest for their summer Bat Talks at Green Lake. Learn about our local bat species and find out how you can help protect bats. These programs are free and open to everyone.

Dates & times (start time shifts with the sunset):

  • Thursday, July 9, 8:30 p.m.
  • Friday, July 24, 8:15 p.m.
  • Thursday, August 6, 8:00 p.m.
  • Friday, August 21, 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, September 4, 7:15 p.m.
Aerial view of a city neighborhood with the zoo in the center, surrounded by residential and commercial buildings, and a lake visible in the background.

Green Lake BAT Program

When: Dates and times below
Where: Green Lake, near the Seattle Public Theater, 7312 West Green Lake Dr N, Seattle, WA 98103
Cost: Free! Registration coming soon!

Join Bats Northwest and Woodland Park zoo to learn about Washington bat species and take part in a community science program to help with local bat conservation! These programs are free and open to everyone. Registration is required and opens 3 weeks prior to the event.

Dates & times (start time shifts with the sunset):

  • Thursday, July 16, 8:20 p.m.
  • Thursday, August 13, 7:45 p.m.
  • Thursday, August 27, 7:15 p.m.
Looking up at tall tree trunks and branches covered in textured bark with lush green leaves, set against a bright sky.

TimberFest BAT Programs

When: Thursday, July 23, 2026, 8:15 p.m.
Where: Tolt-MacDonald Park & Campground, 31020 NE 40th St, Carnation, WA 98014
Cost: You must pay to attend Timberfest to attend this event.

If you’re going to be at Timberfest this year, why not join Bats Northwest for an evening under the stars learning about bats and helping with bat conservation?

Juanita Bay Beavers & Bats

When: Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Where: Juanita Bay Park, 2201 Market St, Kirkland, WA 98033
Cost: Free!

Register

Join Beavers Northwest, Bats Northwest, and Woodland Park Zoo for an evening learning about two of your neatest nature neighbors – beavers and bats! Beavers Northwest will teach us about beaver biology and lead us on a leisurely walk by the wetlands in hopes of seeing a beaver. As the sun goes down, we’ll learn about the beavers’ amazing nighttime neighbors – bats! You will also get to participate in a bat community science program, scanning the night sky for bats flying overhead.

Six bats are flying against a pitch-black night sky. Their wings are spread wide and semi-transparent, and their bodies appear faintly illuminated.

Mercer Island BAT Observation Kick Off Event!

When: Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 8:15 – 9:45 p.m.
Where: Luther Burbank Park, North Parking Lot, at the Amphitheater
Cost: Register

Join us in Luther Burbank Park for a fun night of community science. We’ll be learning all about our local bat populations and then participating in the Bat Activity Trends (BAT) project. This community science program helps to track bat activities in parks across the region. Be prepared to explore the park just after sunset and help make counts on these fascinating flying friends!

This is the first event of our BAT Night Observations. Throughout August and early September, we will be leading a series of events across the island, so keep an eye out for future BAT Nights.

A forest with tall evergreen trees surrounds a flowing river. In the background, distant mountains are visible under a partly cloudy sky. A tent is partially visible among the trees to the left.

Mercer Island Beavers & Bats

When: Thursday, August 6, 2026, 7:15 PM – 9:30 p.m.
Where: Luther Burbank Park, 2040 84th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040
Cost: Free! Registration coming soon!

Join Beavers Northwest, Bats Northwest, and Woodland Park Zoo for an evening learning about two of your neatest nature neighbors – beavers and bats! Beavers Northwest will teach us about beaver biology and lead us on a leisurely walk by the wetlands in hopes of seeing a beaver. As the sun goes down, we’ll learn about the beavers’ amazing nighttime neighbors – bats! You will also get to participate in a bat community science program, scanning the night sky for bats flying overhead.

A person holds a clipboard with a “Bat Activity Trends” data sheet, standing outdoors in a grassy area while a group of people, some seated and some standing, gather in the background at dusk.

Bat Trivia Night at The Good Society Brewery & Public House (West Seattle)

When: Monday, August 10, 2026, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Where: 2701 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA  98116
Cost: $2/person, cash or Venmo; max 8 people/team. No registration required, but trivia can fill up quickly! We recommend getting there early to snag a table.

Join Delridge Neighborhood Development Association, Bats Northwest, and Woodland Park Zoo for a fun night of bat trivia. How much do you know about these nighttime neighbors (and other kinds of bats…)? Bring some friends and find out!

While their address is a California Ave SW address, the entrance to the pub can be found on the side of the building around the corner on Lander Street. Kid friendly-venue, but pets are not allowed inside due to food safety regulations.

A forest with tall evergreen trees surrounds a flowing river. In the background, distant mountains are visible under a partly cloudy sky. A tent is partially visible among the trees to the left.

Carkeek Park Beavers & Bats

When: Tuesday, August 25, 2026, 6:45 – 8:45 p.m.
Where: Carkeek Park, NW Carkeek Park Rd, Seattle, WA 98177
Cost: Free! Registration coming soon!

Meet at the information kiosk by the walkway that leads to the beach.

Join Beavers Northwest, Bats Northwest, and Woodland Park Zoo for an evening learning about two of your neatest nature neighbors – beavers and bats! Beavers Northwest will teach us about beaver biology and lead us on a leisurely walk by the wetlands in hopes of seeing a beaver. As the sun goes down, we’ll learn about the beavers’ amazing nighttime neighbors – bats! You will also get to participate in a bat community science program, scanning the night sky for bats flying overhead.

Snow-dusted mountains rise above a dense evergreen forest, with a winding road cutting through the valley below under a cloudy sky. Sunlight highlights sections of the landscape.

Pigeon Point Park BAT Night

When: Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Where:
Art class from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way Southwest, Seattle, WA 98106

BAT night from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Pigeon Point Park, 4418 21st Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106
Cost: Free!

REGISTER

Curious about urban bats native to the Delridge area? Join us in creating art and learning from local experts about these nocturnal animals! Please join the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association, Bats Northwest, and Woodland Park Zoo for a FREE two-part evening series all about bats!

This event is for all ages, but children under 12 will require supervision. For the first 20 guests, reserve your seat at Youngstown for an hour-long EcoArt activity taught by one of DNDA’s talented Teaching Artist. Participants will create a flapping bat mobile out of recycled materials. Then, an unlimited number of guests can take a short walk to Pigeon Point Park or meet us there to learn more about the bats that also call West Seattle home.

We welcome folks to join at one or both parts of the evening. Due to room constraints, the art class will be limited to about 20 spots, but there is NO LIMIT for guests hoping to attend the Pigeon Point Park’s walk and talk portion!

Six bats are flying against a pitch-black night sky. Their wings are spread wide and semi-transparent, and their bodies appear faintly illuminated.

Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands BAT Night

When: Friday, September 11, 2026, 6:00 – 8:15 p.m.
Where: Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands, 5513 S Cloverdale St, Seattle, WA 98118
Cost: Free! Registration coming soon!

Join Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands, Bats Northwest, and Woodland Park Zoo for an evening of bat fun for the whole family! There will be bat-themed snacks, time to learn about these amazing nighttime animals, and a chance to help with local bat conservation through the Bat Activity Trends program.

This event will have American Sign Language interpretation.