"Hey, Do512! What's (Blank)?!"
Do512 Explains is our helpful series in which we spell out what the deal is with certain longtime Austin traditions. Whether you're a newbie who moved here last week or a longtime resident who just never got around to experiencing whatever thing we're talking about, Do512 Explains will make things clear to you in a tidy summary.
Photo credit: Roger Ho
THE BATS
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! If you're in Austin, it might just be a bat.
It's common knowledge that Austin has bats, but did you know that we're home to the largest urban bat colony in the entirety of North America? Yep. More than 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats call the Congress Avenue Bridge their home. Nestled in the bridge’s underbelly, you can hear their chatter until they emerge in a dense and dramatic exodus at sunset to hunt for flying insects.
Once feared and on the verge of extermination by the city in the 1980s, these tiny gremlin-looking mammals are now revered. The city has incorporated the nocturnal creatures into the municipal identity as an iconic source of animal pride. What's more, the viewing of bat flights at sunset has morphed into an eco-tourism blockbuster for locals and visitors. We've spotlighted some fast facts about their significance in culture and ecology, as well as how best to view them.
BAT WATCHING 101
So you’re ready to see some bats? You're in luck, they are in season from March to October!
Best places to view?
- Congress Avenue Bridge – Hands down the best and most exciting place to watch the bats from. Keep in mind the bridge gets packed and is on a busy street.
- Austin American-Statesman’s Bat Observation Center – Also on the Congress Avenue Bridge but adjacent to the local newspaper and a good option if standing along the side of a major thoroughfare scares you, you can watch from their grassy knoll.
- The Lonestar Riverboat Cruise - The boats available for this Bat Watching Cruise include two of their large pontoon boats, the Northern Star and the Southern Star, which seat up to 60 people, or their smaller boat, the Little Star, which carries 30. Both are open-air, so you’re sure to get a great view no matter where you’re seated. Read more about Lonestar Riverboat Cruise here!
- Kayak Bat Tour - Catch the flight from the comfort of your personal kayak guided by an expert! Check them out here.
- Rent Kayaks, Canoes, and SUPs - Rent your own watercraft from one of these spots to check out the bats up close at sunset!
Top Tips
1. If you are adamant on seeing them, head down to the Congress Avenue Bridge area about an hour before sunset. Keep in mind this is a tourist attraction, so the earlier you head out, the better.
2. Don’t forget a hat, a pair of sunglasses, a pair of binoculars and a camera.
3. If you are a nerd like us, bring a field notebook!
4. Hunker down and wait with an air of excitement.
5. Make sure you're showing up at the right time! Peak bat-watching season is from March to October.
6. Don't get discouraged if they don't come out! Try again another night during the season.
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