Did you know that there are approximately 1.5 million bats in Austin? If you’re a bat enthusiast or just someone curious about bat watching, we can answer all your questions, including when do the bats fly in Austin? After your first experience, you’ll understand why Austin bat-watching is so popular.
When Do the Bats Fly in Austin?
Bats are a nocturnal species, so you’ll see them take flight around dusk. To avoid competition with other animals, bats feed at night, utilizing echolocation to find insects.
What time do bats come out in Austin? Typically, the show begins anywhere between 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. and can take as long as 45 minutes for all of the bats to take flight.
What Type of Bats Fly in Austin?
The bats that roost in Austin are Mexican free-tailed bats. These small bats, averaging about 12 grams, have large, round ears and dense fur. They tend to prefer urban areas and human-made structures, like tunnels, houses, and bridges, where they roost in colonies of hundreds, thousands, or sometimes millions.
Do Austin Bats Fly Every Night?
In Austin, you’ll find a variety of attractions, but one you can count on almost every night is the flight of the bats. Bats have to fly each night in search of food and water. Generally, they will feed for an hour or two, rest, and feed once more before sunrise.
Which Months Are Best for Bat Watching in Austin?
To find out when to see bats in Austin, you have to understand their migratory habits. The best time of year is from March to September. During a cold snap, however, bats may hibernate or migrate early. With fewer bugs in the air, they have fewer opportunities to feed. At the end of the season, before migration and hibernation, you may witness as many as a million bats taking flight at once.
What Bridge Do the Bats Come Out of in Austin?
Bats emerge from the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin. The spectacle draws in tourists and locals throughout the spring and summer to witness the emergence of thousands of bats.
The Congress Avenue Bridge lies between two migratory routes for bats. Between March and November, millions of bats travel from Central Mexico to Austin. In the 1980s, the Congress Avenue Bridge underwent a remodel, and the builders left deep crevices and expansion joints. The crevices, along with the South-facing location and proximity to water, made the bridge ideal for millions of bats to roost.
Do the Bats Come Out in Austin When It Rains?
Bats must use about twice as much energy when wet as when dry. While bats will emerge during the rain, it also depends on the amount of rain. During storms and heavy rain, bats may be less aerodynamic and might choose not to emerge. However, they will still fly in a drizzle.
Discovering the Wonder of When the Bats Fly in Austin
Now that you know when the bats fly in Austin, staying at our park will give you close access to the Congress Avenue Bridge, where you can join other bat-watching enthusiasts at dusk. To learn more about what our park offers, contact us at Austin RV Park today!