Congress Avenue Bat Bridge
Austin is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America. These Mexican free-tailed bats hide out under the Ann W. Richards Congress Bridge, waiting to take flight during the summer months at dusk to eat the 10 - 20,000 pounds of insects they consume every evening. They come out like a dense cloud of smoke, filling the evening air with the smell of guano. For the best seats in the house, come early to the Austin-American Statesmen parking lot and plot a blanket in your chosen spot in the grass. For a more unique view, there are also boat cruises and kayak rentals along Town Lake.
