From March to October, 1.5 million bats emerge nightly from narrow crevices in the underside of the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge. They usually start to emerge from the bridge around 20 minutes before sundown and I had a great view from the water with Lone Star Riverboat Cruises on Lady Bird Lake.
It was amazing how hundreds of people gather to see the world’s largest urban bat colony emerge from under the Congress Avenue Bridge in downtown Austin, Texas. These 1.5 million bats are fun to watch.
As the city came to appreciate its bats, the population under the Congress Avenue Bridge grew to be the largest urban bat colony in North America. With up to 1.5 million bats spiraling into the summer skies, Austin now has one of the most unusual and fascinating tourist attractions anywhere.
It was a great way to see the bats, much better than just standing on the bridge or the observation decks. You come right under the bridge and the tour guides shine a red light that really illuminates them.
I’m so happy my friend Linda and I booked this boat tour. We did a short cruise down the river to see the Austin skyline and the sunset, all while learning tons of history and fun facts from our captain. Then we made our way to the bridge to see the bats come out.
Austin’s bridge bats are Mexican free-tailed bats. They migrate each spring from central Mexico to various roosting sites throughout the southwestern U.S. Most of the colony is female, and in early June each one gives birth to a single baby bat, called a pup.
The one-hour cruise left about 30 minutes before sunset. This tour was a great way to see the city, as it includes some sightseeing of the Stevie Ray Vaughn statue and new buildings popping up downtown.
This Southern style of transportation is a perfect way to take in the city’s skyline and our captain was excellent with entertaining stories about the buildings along the route too.
The night was pretty cold but beautiful and it was amazing to see the bats from the boat. Loved it!!!
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