Here are bats emerging from the Yolo Causeway. Photo by JoEllen Arnold

YOLO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Join Yolo Basin Foundation this summer on a Bat Talk and Tour from June 23 to Sept. 26.

Learn about these amazing flying mammals that do so much to help reduce insect pests throughout the area. Live native bat species are displayed as part of the presentation. The program culminates in watching the bats as they emerge from under the freeway.

The maternity Mexican free-tailed bat colony under the Interstate 80 Yolo Causeway is growing daily as they return from wherever they spent the winter. Although many of the bats overwinter in the bridge, most seem to leave. As the weather warms, crops grow and insect populations explode, the bats return to the Causeway. 

These amazing, winged wonders are mammals that fly. Each summer, the females give birth to one pup. She nurses that pup for about five to six weeks and then it joins her as she flies throughout the Central Valley to consume crop pests and mosquitoes. There are also males that live in the Yolo Causeway bridge.

Meet bats up close. Photo by Billy Keating

Children who are interested in bats are encouraged to join Yolo Basin Foundation for a morning of “Bats and Crafts.” Children will meet live bats from the local area and then create crafts and play bat games. This special event is aimed at young children, especially those who are too young to stay up late to watch the bats fly.

“Bats and Crafts” takes place 10 a.m., Sunday, July 20 and 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 16 at Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Headquarters, 45211 Country Road 32B, Davis.

Registration is now open for all upcoming events. Experiences and some fun fact videos about the Yolo Basin Foundation programs and the bats are online at https://yolobasin.org/battalkandtour.

Yolo Basin Foundation offers environmental education programs for all ages related to wetlands and wildlife.