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.
Following a 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 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 mid-June and run to mid-September.
2023 Dates Will Be Posted May 1, 2023!
Bat T-shirts!
T-shirts are available for purchase at all Bat Talk & Walk events and at the YBF office.
$18 Adult sizes / $14 Children sizes
T-shirt art provided by Ching Chang (Explore the Dark Side) and Jillian Wilkowski (Bats in the Bypass).
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 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
