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Bat Talk and Tour

Meet the Bats of Yolo County!

Did you know that a huge colony of migratory bats live under the Yolo Causeway during the summer? Join Yolo Basin Foundation for a summertime Bat Talk and Tour to learn all about these amazing and beneficial mammals.

This program has concluded for 2025. Join us again in 2026! Subscribe to our newsletter to be notified when ticket sales begin. 

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Bat Talk & Tour Logistics

June – September

The Bat Talk and Tour includes an educational presentation with live ambassador bats, a tour of the wildlife area, and a viewing of the amazing bat colony “flyout”. 

  • See live bats – native species that live in the Sacramento Valley
  • Enjoy a family friendly PowerPoint about bat natural history
  • Join the caravan out to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area for a brief tour of the wetlands and rice fields
  • Finally get in position to watch the flyout of the largest urban colony of Mexican free-tailed bats in California. The bats emerge in long ribbons as they head out to hunt for insects for the night.

The whole experience takes about three hours. This is a family friendly event! There is a small amount of walking. Those in wheelchairs or unable to walk may view the bats by car. Please let us know if you have special needs. Bat Talk and Tour events begin late-June and run through September. 

special events

Batty for Bats

Celebrate summer and join us for Batty for Bats!

Enjoy a little bite to eat and see an exciting local band perform. You’ll also get to meet a number of live ambassador bats and learn about a variety of native bat species.

As part of the festivities, we will view the spectacular sunset fly-out of one of the largest colonies of Mexican free-tailed bats in California. Yolo Basin Foundation bat expert, Corky Quirk will lead the tour and offer lots of great bat information.

Dates will be announced in June 2026.

Bats and Crafts​

Join us as we host a special bat event aimed at young children, especially those that are too young to stay up late to watch the bats fly. This fun filled day will include meeting live bats, arts and crafts, games and other bat related activities.

Dates will be announced in June 2025.

Interested in a private tour?

Bring a larger group (e.g. scouts, PTA school trip, church group, or a bunch of your friends) for a private bat event. Maximum number of attendees is 70. Please contact Corky Quirk, [email protected], to arrange a private tour.

We have merch!

Patches, hoodies, T-shirts and more are available for purchase at all Bat Talk & Tour events and at the YBF office. 

Meet Your neighborhood Bat

The Mexican Free-tailed Bat

Scientific name: Tadarida brasiliensis

Description

Body length about 3.4-4.3″, with a 12-14″ wingspan. The fur is uniformly dark brown or dark grey. The tail extends beyond the tail membrane between hind feet. Long narrow wings provide for fast flight. These bats have been recorded flying at 99 miles per hour in horizontal flight, making them one of the fastest animals in the world!

Range

Migratory. Found from central North America to northern South America.
Range Map

Habitat

Caves, buildings, under roof tiles and bridges.

Meet Your neighborhood Bat

The Mexican Free-tailed Bat

Scientific name: Tadarida brasiliensis

Behavior

Colonial. Emerge at sunset in columns. Mothers give birth to one pup at the end of June. Pups are able to fly at about 5 weeks. Lifespan is about 15 years.

Diet

Forage mainly on moths at very high altitude, up to 10,000 feet. Also eat mosquitoes, flying ants, weevils, stink-bugs, and ground beetles.

Risks

Habitat loss, white-nose syndrome, pesticide use, climate change and human disturbance and fear. Predators include hawks, falcons, other birds of prey, and house cats. Colonies once numbering in the millions have been dramatically reduced in size due to human disturbance, destruction of caves and deliberate eradication attempts.

Media Coverage

Additional Bat Related Information and Resources