Did you know that colonies of migratory bats live under the Yolo Causeway during the summer? Join the Yolo Basin Foundation for a summertime Bat Talk and Walk event and learn all about these amazing and beneficial mammals.
photo courtesy of Barbara Steinberg
Following a 45 minute indoor presentation on bat natural history, the group will carpool out to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area to watch the “flyout” of the largest 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. To get to the viewing site, the group will caravan through wetlands and rice fields to an area not open to the public.
The whole experience takes about 3 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 mid-June and run to mid-September.
You may reserve up to six spots per family. Events begin at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Headquarters. Click here for directions to our Headquarters.
CLICK HERE FOR 2021 BAT TALK AND WALK EVENTS – SOON TO BE ANNOUNCED!
Refund Policy
- All refunds due to participant withdrawal are subject to a $10 administration fee.
- No refunds will be given within 14 days prior to the start of the program.
Private Events:
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, CQuirk@yolobasin.org, to arrange a private tour.
Special Events
/＼ ^._.^ ／\ /＼ ^._.^ ／\ /＼ ^._.^ ／\ /＼ ^._.^ ／\ /＼ ^._.^ ／\
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. LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR VIRTUAL BAT PROGRAMS HERE!
/＼ ^._.^ ／\ /＼ ^._.^ ／\ /＼ ^._.^ ／\ /＼ ^._.^ ／\ /＼ ^._.^ ／\
Batty for Bats (An Explorer Series Event)
Be part of an exclusive bat experience with Yolo Basin Foundation’s own bat expert Corky Quirk. You’ll learn about their natural history and biology and even get an up-close look at live bats. After the program, you’ll caravan to the bat viewing site in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, traveling past Green’s Lake, an old oxbow of the Sacramento River. As the sun sets, the group will enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres as you await the spectacular fly-out of hundreds of thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats.
/＼ ^._.^ ／\ /＼ ^._.^ ／\ /＼ ^._.^ ／\ /＼ ^._.^ ／\ /＼ ^._.^ ／\
Bats and Brews
Celebrate summer and join us for Bats and Brews!
Enjoy a little bite to eat, listen to some live music and taste a variety of Sudwerk beers that showcase the creativity of this local brewery.
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.
For more information about Sudwerk Brewing visit www.sudwerkbrew.com.
/＼ ^._.^ ／\ /＼ ^._.^ ／\ /＼ ^._.^ ／\ /＼ ^._.^ ／\ /＼ ^._.^ ／\
Bat House Building Workshop
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.
Members Only Bat Talk & Walk
Yolo Basin Foundation members will receive a special invitation to our Member’s Only Bat Talk & Walk. Member’s will receive an email with the date and instructions on how to register.
Members at the Kestrel and Bat levels or higher can register for any public Bat Talk & Walk by contacting Michael Herrera at (530) 757-3780 or by email.
NOT A MEMBER??
Click here to join now and help support our year-round environmental education programs for all ages!
Bat T-shirts!
T-shirts are available for purchase at all Bat Talk & Walk events and at the YBF office.
T-shirt art provided by Ching Chang (Explore the Dark Side) and Pamela Rhodes (Bats in the Bypass).
2018 Design (Artwork by Colette Kitlas)
“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 Links
Articles about the Bat Talk & Walks
- “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
