One of the most popular and unique attractions in Austin is a natural phenomenon, and costs absolutely nothing to enjoy. 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats live under the Congress Street Bridge from March to October to enter the twilight of a breathtaking display. Last night (almost) occurrence can be interpreted in different ways and is the type of event, living in or visiting Austin so memorable.
The bats are not very well received and understoodCompany. Often associated with vampires, belfries and Bad Hair Days, misunderstood the bat holds a mystique of fright, and a tragic way. Although the bats, like any other mammal, can carry rabies, and no one should ever touch a bat in nature, bats are an important part of our ecosystem. According to Bat Conservation International, the Austin bats eat up to 20,000 pounds of insects every night!
Austin's bats migrate each spring from Mexico, and made their home under theCongress Street Bridge by the thousands since 1980. Especially women, the bats come to Austin to have their children, usually in early June. They remain in residence under the bridge usually until mid-October, and every evening they leave their castle for mosquitoes and flies and other insects in Austin and the food environment.
Two free viewing area provide different viewpoints. Only under the bridge on the south side of the river, a dedicated park-like area is provided by the adjacentAustin American-Statesman editorial. Visitors can bring a picnic lunch on the green hill, and published information on the history of the bat population and the future of reading. Others prefer to go to the upper deck and get a spot overlooking the river on the eastern horizon. When the sun goes down, now is the amount of a period of one or two brave bats flicker in the dusk. The amount of speed, and soon the air is thick with bats swirling out into the night. Visitors near the bridgeThey close and personal with these fascinating, but fast-moving creatures, watching them flutter by. These look with a view toward the horizon, columns and spirals of these little cuties from the shadows deepening of the sky at dusk.
A number of boats available for rental to see the bats from private to public platform boats sailing boats and kayak, canoe or rowing boat will take you sometimes rises and falls with the flow of the river near the bridge. Restaurants and hotelsthe river also patio dining with an excellent view of the show.
Although the image quality is better this summer, when the new pups have grown and begun to join the night flight, the bats put on a spectacular show every night from spring to autumn. Bat Conservation has a kiosk on the bridge with a nice souvenir bat and teaching materials, and often have a naturalist on hand to explain the wonder of Austin unique and awesome Mexican Free-tailBats.
