When was the last time you’ve seen a swarm of bats? I’ve heard about the bats that live under the bridge where Waugh Drive crosses over Buffalo Bayou for years, but somehow I never made it out there at dusk until just recently. I’m so glad I finally did it because watching around 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats stream out on their nightly search for mosquitoes and other insects was an amazing experience!
When you are driving over the bridge you would never know there is a bat colony just beneath you. Even when walking on the jogging/bike path that follows along the bayou and goes under the bridge it isn’t necessarily obvious. The bats are tucked up into the crevices of the bridge and just the chirping-like noise that they make and a funny smell will alert you to the fact that they are there. Then, if you look closely, you may be able to see them packed in together waiting for the sun to go down.
The bats fly out around sunset, although sometimes it could be a bit earlier or later. They usually head out to the east, over the water and toward downtown. If you go on the first or third Friday of the month you may be able to catch the “bat chat” which is given by volunteers. They can shine a special light so you can see the bats in the crevices before they emerge, as well as answer questions that you may have. The chat takes place at the viewing platform at the corner of Waugh Drive and Allen Parkway.
The bats don’t fly if the temperature is below 50°F, so don’t go on a cold day. Summer is probably the best time to go because the bat population is the highest then (and there are baby bats learning to fly in July!), but this natural phenomenon is still impressive at any time of the year!
I highly recommend looking at the Houston parks website before you go. The site has helpful information about bat watching etiquette, viewing and parking locations, and fun facts about bats.
Oh, and don’t forget to send a silent “thank you” to all those bats as they head out for their nightly hunt. Each bat can eat up to two-thirds of its body weight in insects in a single night, so that is a lot fewer mosquitoes to bother you and me!
Contributed by Shanna
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