Did you know that colonies of migratory bats live under the Yolo Causeway during the summer? Join Yolo Basin Foundation for a summertime Bat Talk and Walk event and learn all about these amazing and beneficial mammals.
Following a presentation on bat natural history where you will have the opportunity to see live ambassador bats up close, the group will carpool out to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area for a brief tour of the wetlands and rice fields. Then, we 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 Walk and Talk events begin late-June and run through September.
Adults: $15
Youth: $5 (6-17 years old)
Children: Free (5 years and under)
For CDFW Employees Only
Bat T-shirts!
T-shirts are available for purchase at all Bat Talk & Walk events and at the YBF office.
$20 per t-shirt.
T-shirt art provided by Ching Chang (Explore the Dark Side) and Jillian Wilkowski (Bats in the Bypass).
Special Events
Bats and Crafts
August 13, 10:00 – 12:00 ($15) – CONCLUDED
September 17, 10:00 – 12:00 ($15) – CONCLUDED
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.
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Bats and Beverages
August 19th, 5:00 – 9:00 – CONCLUDED
$30 – Adults
$15 – Youth
Celebrate summer and join us for Bats and Beverages!
Enjoy a little bite to eat, try some non-alcoholic mocktails, 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.
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Bat House Building Workshop
August 26th, 10:00 – 12:00 ($100) – CONCLUDED
In conjunction with International Bat Night, this will be a day to learn about inviting bats to your yard or farm.
A fun activity for small groups or families!
This will include an opportunity to build a bat house and a live viewing of several of our native species of bats. We provide the supplies and instruction and you supply the people power. Registration is by bat house.
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Private Events:
Sold out for 2023.
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 60. Please contact Corky Quirk, CQuirk@yolobasin.org, to arrange a private tour.
Bat Talk and Walk Media Coverage
“Bats swarm in Yolo County overpass”
KCRA, Tom Miller
“360° Video: Flight of the Bats”
(Best viewed on smart phone)
“These bats don’t need a cave, they have a bridge”
KCRA, Tom Miller, July 13, 2016
KQED Quest: “Bats Beneath Us”
featuring Corky Quirk, Yolo Basin Foundation’s bat expert
“The Invisible Mammal: The Bat Rescuer”
by Kristin Tieche
Additional Bat Related Information and Resources
Help CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife track bat populations in California by reporting bat colonies or their roost sites, https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Mammals/Bats/Report-Colony.
Articles about the Bat Talk & Walks
- Help CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife track bat populations in California by reporting bat colonies or their roost sites, https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Mammals/Bats/Report-Colony.
- “5 places in California to go a little batty,” SF Chronicle, 4/13/14 View
- “A highway, a wetland and 250,000 bats,” Bay Nature, 7/26/13 View
- “Going Batty,” Davis Enterprise, 8/12/12 View
- Yolo Flyway Newsletter, Summer 2011 Download pdf
Bat Organizations
