Congress Avenue Bridge: It's Raining Bats and Dogs

          Okay, so maybe it’s not really raining bats and dogs but what in the world is that huge black cloud coming out from under the Congress Avenue Bridge?  Believe it or not— it’s a huge flight of bats! 

The bats putting on a show for their fans. (Photo: Unknown, Courtesy of transactaustin.com)

          This spectacular scene is well-known part of Austin, Texas that you must check out. I mean, when do you ever see over a million bats in one place?

          Now if you’re anything like me you’re probably cringing right now and wondering who would ever want to go see some bats. Keep reading. I assure you this a promising form of entertainment

          The Congress Avenue Bridge along Lady Bird Lake is home to the largest bat colony in North America. From about mid-March to November, these Mexican free-tail bats emerge every evening from beneath the bridge.

          Although bats may be known as creepy creatures, (who definitely aren’t the cuddly kind) these mammals sure do know how to draw a crowd in.

          This bazaar scene attracts locals and tourists from all over the country as an unusual yet fascinating experience, and that’s why I have chosen this spot to share.

          Almost every summer night you will see the top of Congress Avenue Bridge lined with people waiting for the bats to come out of their roost.  

You'd think it's time to open presents looking at the crowd the bats attract. (Photo: Samsudin K.)

          I personally suggest gathering some friends and taking lawn chairs down to the bottom of the bridge to set up along the lake. This gives you a view from underneath the bridge, making it feel like you’re closer to the action.  

          When the time finally comes, and the bats emerge you hear an exhilarating chattering noise that leaves a thrill in your bones. The sound of their flapping wings adds excitement to the perfect picture they paint flying off into the dusk. (I might add there is a little smell but what do you expect? They’re bats!)

          “The bats at Congress Avenue Bridge are insane,” said Austin, Texas resident Michael Khairallah. “It’s one of those things you have to experience to truly understand.” 

          Since the population of bats living under this bridge is close to 1. 5 million you can imagine that it takes awhile before they are all out of the roost... about 20 minutes to be exact.  (Pick up your jaw. It just fell.)

          You’ve probably already figured this one out but the bats leave the bridge every night to hunt for food. Facts like this can be found around the area on educational posts with information on the bats and suggestions on things to watch for when they emerge.  

Tips can be helpful for first-time visitors who don't have a clue what's going on. (Photo: Lydia L.)

                 Okay, so over a million hungry bats swarming right before your eyes may not sound like the safest thing, but trust me on this one when I say you are safe watching them from the bridge, along the lake and even from a boat on the lake itself. You are out of harm’s way because all of these spots are beneath the bats and not in the direction they are flying. (Phew, hope you didn’t almost have a heart attack.)  

           The spot is obviously safe, as people have been visiting for quite some time now. A range from families to local college students, come out to experience this interesting phenomenon because it is fun, free and a part of fully experiencing Austin, Texas. 

          The actual time you should arrive at the bridge for a bat watch and how long you’ll wait on them varies. The bats generally emerge around sunset every evening so it may be best to find a spot about 7:30 p.m. For estimated emerging times on a particular day I advise you to call the Austin American-Statesman’s bat hotline at 512-416-5700 ext. 3636.

A great thing about visiting the bridge is that you don’t have to bother searching for a parking meter or paying for it at all. The Austin-American Statesman’s parking lot is located at 305 South Congress Ave. right next to the bridge and offers free parking after 6 p.m. so go! Go do something you’ve never done before. Go get wild and free… like the bats!