Shoshana wrote:JDawg512 wrote:Shoshana wrote:Was very surprised to see bats fly out from under the i35 bridge over Howard Ln tonight. First because I've never seen bats there before and second, I don't remember seeing them this early!
That's pretty interesting. I was not aware that a colony had established there either. I've consistently seen people going to the Congress Avenue Bridge in the evenings throughout this winter which leads me to conclude that they never left. I haven't gone to see for myself but I don't see why a bunch of people would be standing along the east side of the bridge this time of year other than to watch the bats.
There's also a colony under the I35 bridge over McNeil that's been there a while. It's not nearly as big as the one under the Congress Ave bridge. Not really anywhere close to watch it. I see them come out if I'm going down I35 just when they take off. The panhandlers near the Howard Ln bridge would have a good view of those bats though.
I guess some do come early or stay through the winter, I have always thought they came back in March.
They used to leave at the end of October/beginning of November and not return till March. That stretch of time has been decreasing bit by bit over the last several years. Its possible some leave while others stay. I think I may look into it but the main takeaway is they don't feel the need to migrate into Mexico nowadays. A trend that is showing up in other species who's natural ranges and migrations have altered.