What bridge are the bats under in Austin?

Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge
The Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge, located in the heart of downtown Austin, hosts the largest urban bat colony in the world, estimated at 1.5 million bats. It is a maternity colony, and female Mexican free-tailed bats raise an estimated 750,000 pups each year at the bridge.

Do the bats in Austin come out every night?

The bats do continue to fly out every single night, but some nights they are very difficult to see. By the first week of November, the bats have begun to migrate, for it is starting to get cold and there is low visibility. Every morning, the bats return to the bridge about 30 minutes before sunrise.

Can you still see the bats in Austin?

Mid Oct 2020: There are still lots of bats at the bridge (pretty much the whole summer colony), but they are mostly flying right at, or after dark. Best viewing down on the trail under the south side of the bridge.

What time of year do the bats come out in Austin?

Each night from around mid-March to early November, the Austin Bats emerge from under the bridge to blanket the sky as they head out to forage for food. This nightly event is considered the most spectacular and unusual tourist attraction in Austin Texas.

Why are there so many bats in Austin?

Free-tailed bats have resided in Austin since the city’s founding in 1839. They roosted between attic rafters and behind the loose wall boarding of houses, churches, university buildings and even the capital’s first city hall, which residents nicknamed “the rookery”.

What is the best time to see bats in Austin?

Typically, late July and early August is considered “peak season” to see a spectacular show. They usually start to emerge from the Congress Ave. bridge around 20 minutes before sundown. Take note that the bats emergence is dependent upon many factors, such as the weather and time of year.

What time do the bats come out in Austin today?

Plan Your Arrival Time The Congress Bridge Bats make their nightly departure 30-60 minutes before sunset. During bat season this can range from 7:30PM – 9:00PM because the sun sets at different times through the year.

Why are there so many bats in Austin TX?

What time do Austin bats come out?

The Congress Bridge Bats make their nightly departure 30-60 minutes before sunset. During bat season this can range from 7:30PM – 9:00PM because the sun sets at different times through the year. Use this link to check the local sunset time in Austin and plan to get there 90 minutes before so you get a good seat.

What time of year do bats come out?

When Are Bats Most Active? Early fall is the busiest time for bats. Bat pups have just begun to fly, seeking food on their own. Because bats are insectivores, this time of the year also offers ample opportunity for these creatures to get out and find plenty to eat.

Do bats come out every night?

Bats are largely nocturnal, meaning they are most active after sundown. Specifically, little brown bats emerge from their dark roosts two-to-three hours after dusk to feed. After feeding, they return to their roosts to sleep out the rest of the night and day hanging upside down.

Do the Austin bats not come out?

While most people think that bat watching in Austin is a year-round event and experience, the truth is that seeing bats in Austin is an experience that only takes place from March to late September each year.

How often do the Austin bats come out?

Each night from around mid-March to early November, the Austin Bats emerge from under the bridge to blanket the sky as they head out to forage for food. This nightly event is considered the most spectacular and unusual tourist attraction in Austin Texas. Below are 5 steps to see the bats in Austin.

Are bats in Austin year round?

When to see the bats: “Bat Season” takes place every year from March to November, and bats emerge around sunset to feed on a variety of flying insects such as mosquitoes and moths. Each June, mama bats give birth to a pup who’s ready to fly by August (and colonies generally double at this time of year).

Where is the best place to watch bats in Austin?

Lady Bird Lake
The Austin Bats are Austin’s most popular visitor attraction. The Congress Avenue bridge spans Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin and is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America known as the Congress Bridge Bats. This colony is estimated at 1.5 million Mexican free-tail bats.

What hours are bats active?

Bats are the most active at night between the hours of dusk to dawn. As night approaches, bats begin to increase their activity. They will start flying around their cave and then leave in search of food and water. Bats will typically feed for about an hour or two, rest for a bit, then feed again before daybreak.

Why does Austin have so many bats?

Why are there so many bats in Austin, Texas? Without fail since the early 1980s, bats have long frequented the migration route between Austin, Northern, and Central Mexico. In fact, Mexican free-tailed bats have been called Austin their second home dating back to the late 1800s.

What months are the bats in Austin?

What happened to the bats on Congress Avenue Bridge?

Large numbers of bats began roosting in the Congress Avenue Bridge in the early 1980s, shortly after it was renovated. Few people understood how valuable the bats were, and many feared them. It took a lot of effort by Bat Conservation International and other bat-friendly folks to help turn the tide of public opinion.

Can you see bats from the south end of the bridge?

Until overgrown vegetation is trimmed from beneath the south end of the bridge, and from the southeast river edge, this otherwise nice location will offer poor viewing. Prior to neglect, a major bat column passed over this official viewing area.

Is it safe to handle bats at the bridge?

Those that can be easily handled are most likely to be sick. If you want to help a downed bat at the bridge, call Austin Bat Refuge. Don’t attempt to handle it yourself. Free-tailed bats are gentle animals that rarely bite except in self-defense if handled. No visitor has ever been attacked or contracted a disease from these bats.

How can I take pictures of bats on the bridge?

Photographs from water level, or from the new bat viewing platform beneath the northeast end of the bridge, will show the most bat watchers and columns of emerging bats. For getting a variety of great photos showing visitors and the Austin skyline in the background rent a small boat or kayak.