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Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge
Bridge and Scenic Lookout
Downtown Austin, Austin
"Yummy guano"(3 Tips)
"South East side of the river"(2 Tips)
"Park at Austin American statesman building"(2 Tips)
"Great for bat watching and even better trails!"(3 Tips)
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CNNMarch 6, 2012Home to the largest urban colony of bats in the US! Up to 1.5 million fly from underneath the bridge to forage for food at dusk. Submit photos or video of your SXSW bat encounter to ireport.cnn.com!
Millie JohnsonApril 14, 2018It was amazing to see. There is information about the bats along the north east side of the hiking trail. The crowd thins out after the first few minutes. The bats keep coming for about 20 minutes.Upvoted Mar 26- Jennifer RuizAugust 3, 2018Take a walk over this bridge to get gorgeous views of the lake, and if you're here in the summer, you can see the bats fly out at dusk - amazing to see.
Colleen CarpenterAugust 17, 2014Pretty fun! Beautiful park below with a great view of the bats coming out at dusk. Pretty interesting and you can watch it from a kayak or boat as well!
Wael HazzaziApril 17, 2016The bats are really small, try to go to the right end (south side) of the bridge, that's where they will emerge from
Kimie IgeOctober 4, 2016Cool creepy and gross all at once to see 1.5 million bats swarm outs. Wear pants, shoes, and a hat. Left with 10 leg bites and didn't even sit down on the grassy hill. Fleas are not your friend.
NicholleAugust 3, 2013It's hard to gauge the exact time the bats will emerge from under the bridge. However, when they do, it's quite a sight. Try to arrive 30mins before sunset. Austinites should see this at least once!- chris millerMarch 19, 2012The bats fly leave the bridge flying east. Best place (other then on boat) is the South East side of the river down on the grassy area by the bike path
- Mazanin FJuly 24, 2015If you are lucky and you are around this area before sunset, you can see bats flying from under the bridge to some area in the southeast of Austin.
Ted GreenApril 18, 2015Great place to start your evening, over looking town lake, the sunset and bats. When they leave, wow it's truly amazing, to see so many at one place......- Phani KMarch 16, 2012The bridge offers bat watching views in august(best) when young pups+mothers exit the bridge during nightly flights. Exit time around 8 to 8:30 pm as long as 30-45 mins. Exit times-Call 416-5700 x3636
Molly ShetterAugust 9, 2012Park at the Austin American Statesman and follow the gravel path down to the hill near the river!
Nikon USAMarch 12, 2011Always consider the background when composing images. If there's something in your view that you don't want in the final photo, you can change your physical position or try changing the focal length.
Austin American-StatesmanFebruary 8, 2012Driving across the Congress Avenue Bridge, you'd never know the world's largest urban bat colony (1.5 million at summer peak) lives under it ... unless you show up at sundown to see them.
National Wildlife FederationMarch 25, 2011Watch for the largest urban bat colony ( they are Mexican Free-tailed bats) emerge from under the bridge as night falls. It's an incredible sight to see!
VM FoundryMarch 11, 2011March kicks off bat season in Austin. March-April thousands of mostly female, pregnant Mexican free-tailed bats migrate North to give birth & they stay through the spring, summer, & early fall.- Sarah GutierrezJuly 6, 2013Great for bat watching and even better trails! Just try not to "take the scenic route" like I did...
- Stephanie WallsJanuary 11, 2015A great place to watch the sun set, while waiting for the bats to take flight.
When on the bridge, get as close as you can over the water for the best view
Visit AustinNovember 4, 2011Austin is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America. More than 1.5 million bats fly out near dusk from the Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge. Best viewing dates: April-Oct.
Julius TarngOctober 22, 2015Hang out here waiting for bats. It'll probably be real dark when they come out buts it's a cool 15 minutes.- Kathleen SmithApril 10, 2011About a million bats arrive in Austin in Spring and stay until Fall. See them from near the Congress area bridge or take a bat boat tour.
Social DistilleryNovember 22, 2011Because of the near blindness that afflicts the species, bats rely on sonar or echolocation to detect objects around them. If it's raining, they can't hear & won't come out to feed.![Evan[Bu]](https://fastly.4sqi.net/img/user/32x32/1718914-0E4PXEUXZ2KFIAR4.jpg "Evan[Bu]")
Evan[Bu]July 4, 2011Either Burt Reynolds is in town, or thousands of bats are about to tear out from underneath this bridge. Either way, there are a ton of people on this bridge. Look for the vendor selling guano bowls.
Kaitlin GAugust 23, 2011The world's largest urban bat colony lives under this bridge! Be sure to get there before sunset.
IntelWiMAXSeptember 27, 2010Did you know the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge is home to the world's largest urban bat colony? You're in a WiMAX hotspot, so hop online and learn more!
Dustin SchirerSeptember 20, 2014Had good luck in the south east side of the bridge. Find a street lamp to stand under to help illuminate the creepy flying mice.
Steve McDanielSeptember 23, 2016if the bats don't come out right after dusk - don't wait around as you can't see them after dark
Travaasa AustinSeptember 20, 20111.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats depart nightly at sunset, April through October, from beneath the bridge.
Carla MOctober 29, 2012I cannot think of a better name for this bridge that is home to hundreds of bats !! Ann Richards was one of the biggest old bats I've ever known!!!!
DoraJuly 21, 2010Arrive early to find a spot on the grass, because the bats draw quite a crowd most nights. Powered by ParentsConnect.com
Jennifer 8. LeeMarch 15, 2010Watch the bats fly out from under the bridge around dusk. Peak period is August. Grassy knoll or bridge are best vantage points.
Nick KinlingApril 15, 2013Beware of the man in the bat hat. He is soliciting buttons and will harass you if you don't buy one.
ChevroletSeptember 20, 2010Originally built in 1875 for $80,000, it's now home to an estimated 1.5 million Mexican Free-tailed bats underneath. Showtime is daily at dusk.
Adam RogersAugust 19, 2013Beware of the deaf guy passing out buttons, he expects your money. I politely told him I didn't want one, he flipped me off and motioned for me to leave. Amusingly, he avoided our side of the bridge.
Darlene HornMarch 4, 2012Watch the bats take off at desk -- largest in the world. Be sure to wear a hat!
Dilara SultanNovember 5, 2011On the right side of the bridge (facing north) is good.... seeing from a boat even better! Read more
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Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge
1 Congress Ave (over Colorado River)
Austin, TX 78701
United States
Austin, TX 78701
United States
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