Sep 24, 2024 · 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 Austin bat colony is estimated at 1.5 million Mexican free-tail bats.

Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge is home to the world's largest urban bat colony, which is composed of Mexican free-tailed bats. The bats reside beneath the road deck in gaps between the concrete component structures.

Austin Bats, complete guide on Congress Avenue Bridge Bats by Merlin Tuttle. A must visit website before you plan to visit south congress bridge for bat watching tour in 2018.

A bat bridge is a structure of varying construction crossing a new or altered road to aid the navigation of bats following the destruction of a hedgerow, and to cause the bats to cross the roadway at a sufficient height to avoid traffic. Bats are thought to follow the lines of hedgerows and woods, and removing these may confuse the bats.

5 days ago · After the bat strike event (in Sept 2020) that killed and injured numerous bats at Congress Avenue Bridge, we asked Texas Parks and Wildlife and the City of Austin to limit amateur drone usage at the bridge and ensure that drones keep a safe distance from the bats. Here in May 2021 is the result.

Sep 16, 2024 · The view from the bridge allows you to see the millions of bats snaking downriver in giant ribbons of life. But, on days when bats are emerging close to dark, the bridge is the wrong place to be, says Mackenzie. “You won't see many bats, you'll just see dark bats against dark water,” he explains.

Mar 17, 2023 · All you have to do is show up at the Congress bridge (you can stand on the bridge, stand under the bridge, or book a boat tour on the water) and watch the show…and it’s free! Ever wondered why Austin Texas is known for bats? It's because of this bridge!

Feb 23, 2021 · Ladybird lake is filled with kayaks and canoes and pontoon boats, and then right at sundown, 1.5 million free-tailed bats start to trickle out of the bridge. The bats fly off downstream to begin their nightly feast of mosquitoes and moths.

Jul 1, 2023 · Come and experience one of nature's wonders in its fullest with a visit to Austin Bat watching under Congress Bridge. See over a million bats take off into the sky until they create an enchanting silhouette against the setting sun.

Mar 24, 2025 · Every summer evening, around 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from the bridge's crevices to hunt for insects. It's a sight that combines the thrill of nature with the backdrop of a bustling city. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to …