A colony of Mexican free-tailed bats estimated in the hundreds of thousands lives in the expansion joints under this bridge over Buffalo Bayou, in the middle of the city. Unlike most Texas colonies of this species, a large share of these bats do not migrate to Mexico for the winter and stay year-round, so warm winter evenings can produce an emergence too. A colony this size eats insects by the ton over a season, and it established itself here without anyone planning it — bridge joints happen to be a very good imitation of a rock crevice.
Getting there
29.7590, -95.3990
Locations are approximate and may be inaccurate, on private land, or otherwise inaccessible. Check before you travel.
Hear it from the road
Whistlestop tells you this story automatically when you drive past. No searching, no tapping, nothing to ask.
