Cavechat.org

What would be the reasons why a bat may be flying around in the middle of the day (other than being disturbed by something)?

-doug-

Quite simply because some species of bats do that rather then at night.
http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/bats.html

Depends also now-a-days on where you are.
Around the New England area bats are flying around at a time when it's not normal for them to do so, primary culprit is the White Nose Syndrome that's affecting the big and little browns and other species.
But as Phil said some do bust out and fly around during the day. It depends.

solidago,

this time of year it gets tricky. As ralph said daytime activity by bats in the NE or actually anywhere east of ohio, might indicate WNS syndrome. BUT, now that spring temps have arrived in many places, it may simply be a natural local response as bats begin emergence. Are you seeing a few bats or a large number?

Are we talking about bats flying around inside a cave at mid-day, or outside at mid-day? I would think the former to be very commonplace, while the latter might be cause for concern.

I know this is years later from post previous but I was sitting outside today around 2pm in Indiana and there were a group of approx 20-30 birds flying high above. After looking and listening closer they are bats! I have never seen bats flying around during the day?? Why is this?

Terilu wrote:I know this is years later from post previous but I was sitting outside today around 2pm in Indiana and there were a group of approx 20-30 birds flying high above. After looking and listening closer they are bats! I have never seen bats flying around during the day?? Why is this?

Are you absolutely certain they are bats? Quite often I have people point out "bats" to me that are swallows or chimney swifts. I would suspect the latter since you said you identified them by listening. It is possible though that you saw bats that were disturbed by something. Is anyone logging in your area?