The beginning of spring signals the return of the Waugh Bridge Bat Colony Pontoon Boat Tours conducted by the Buffalo Bayou Partnership. On the second Friday of every month (March - October), wildlife enthusiasts can enjoy an amazing view of the Waugh Bridge Bat Colony as the bats emerge for the evening. Over 250,000 Mexican Free-tail bats call Waugh Bridge home. The evening will be spent viewing and learning more about these magnificent flying mammals that share the city with us. Reservations and tickets are required. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $15 for children 4-12. For more information call (713) 752-0314 extension 4.
There is something amazing going on underneath the Waugh Drive Bridge near Buffalo Bayou.
About 250,000 of Houston’s best-kept secrets have been quietly residing within the crevices of Waugh Drive Bridge for a number of years. “The Waugh Bridge Bat Colony” consists of Mexican free-tailed bats that emerge nightly to stretch their wings and feed on area insects. HPARD has partnered with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Buffalo Bayou Partnership, and enthusiastic area volunteers to begin counting and recording the activities of the Bat Colony.
Unlike other Texas bat colonies that opt for warmer climates by migrating southward during winter months, The Waugh Bridge Bat Colony remains in Houston throughout the year. As far as we know, this is the only bridge in Texas that has such a large colony of Mexican free-tailed bats that reside all year, even through the winter months. The huge majority of bats at other bridges migrate to Mexico for the winter.
Bats at the Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Colony in Austin (population 1.5 million), for example, begin migrating south to Mexico in the fall months, ending the twilight emergences until the following spring.
Bats play key roles in keeping a wide variety of insect populations in balance. In the U.S., brown bats often eat mosquitoes and can catch up to 1,200 tiny insects in an hour. Large colonies of Mexican free-tailed bats eat tons of pests weekly.
In 2006 a bat observation deck was installed for your convenience. If you would like to observe the Waugh Drive Bridge Bat Colony, the following tips will help you have a safe, fun-filled, batty viewing:
If you would like to volunteer and help observe and monitor the bats at Waugh Drive Bridge or other locations around Houston then become a Bat Team Member Volunteer!
Unlike other Texas bat colonies that opt for warmer climates by migrating southward during winter months, The Waugh Bridge Bat Colony remains in Houston throughout the year. As far as we know, this is the only bridge in Texas that has such a large colony of Mexican free-tailed bats that reside all year, even through the winter months. The huge majority of bats at other bridges migrate to Mexico for the winter.