Our red bat families are all color-coded (with corresponding control numbers) so that we can raise and release them together.  It was the “green family” release time last night and what a joy it was to see them all fly off together on a beautiful summer evening!

These red bats were  found by Brad Fellers on the ground at his Leander home and certainly would have been killed by predators had he not cared enought to save them.  The orphan was saved by Megan Rodriguez near Anderson Mill.
It was our great pleasure to help the pups grow up, turning from little furry blobs of bat blubber into amazing flying, hunting, and self-sufficient wonders of the night sky.

We placed each bat in a pup tent first and one by one we watered, fed, and showed them their back-up drinking trough; the infinity-edged pool that we’ll keep nice and full for them throughout the oncoming drought.
Here’s one of the pups drinking from the pool.

Once all were fed and watered, it was up to the release platform high in a tree above their former enclosure.  They were all super-excited and we first did a controlled release with the mum, then quickly set the pups free to follow her, so they could all stay together.

Here’s the happy family circling high in the sky, celebrating their freedom on a beautiful Texas summer night.  Live long lives little bats and make lots more beautiful bat babies! Thanks for the memories!

Please Donate at https://austinbatrefuge.org/donations/ to support Austin’s amazing bats!


We were contacted a few weeks ago by a German ecological consultant on sabbatical, who has been traveling the world for the last year or so.  Starting six months ago she was in Patagonia, then in the Brazilian Pantanal, far upstream in the Amazon, and in Montreal, before volunteering with us for three weeks.  An intrepid traveler, she has been camping in the jungles and couch-surfing the cities of the world before arriving at facility with an open mind and an open heart, sharing wonderful stories from her travels.

What a joy it was to get to know her!  She is a true citizen of the world, and she filled us with hope for the future!  As a global ambassador, her ability to share the wonder of the natural world did her country proud!  Fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, French, and who knows how many other languages, her light shines brightly and we are so happy she came to stay with us for this short while!

Lisa Soehn, you are a spectacular human being!  May that twinkle in your eye continue to spread to all you meet!
Love always from Texas!

Lisa Soehn



Our first pup of the year, an evening bat, snuggling under his proud mum.

We had a naming contest for Mother’s Da and got so many great suggestions; we loved them all!

Radar got the most votes, but we all have our personal favorites.

You’ll be seeing those other names soon as this year’s pups roll in!


After the crowds leave Congress Avenue Bridge, a few more bats take flight!
All the best girls!


Funny (and informative) post from David Curiel, the concierge at the Whisper Valley community.

Lone bat found on our solar equipment! from Austin


This red bat is using her thumbs to stabilize her snooze on this windy day. She has her butt blanket pulled right up over her eyes and it looks like she’s closing her ear with her foot! She was found emaciated on the UT campus but is eating well and will be good to go in a few days. #batifyatx #batifyaustin #austinbats #atxbats #easternredbat #aesomebats

eastern red bat


Fawn is a beautiful northern yellow yearling who is ready for release.  She came to us late last summer, and we over-wintered her because she simply did not seem ready for release until late fall, when food started to get scarce.  Now’s the time to get her weight up and shoot some video to help us remember her.  She has been so patient with us, trusting us to do the right thing for her and now is the time to reward that trust.

Studies have shown that the joy engendered by an event is not diminished by accompanying sadness, but that joy is actually increased by such sadness.  The resulting poignancy is an extremely powerful emotion and this is what accompanies each and every release of an orphaned bat pup. We worry about them in so many ways; will they find a roost, food, a mate? Will they evade predators long enough to reproduce?  Will they realize that not all humans will treat them with kindness?  Will they be successful without the benefit of their mothers to show them the way?

But we’re so happy for them to have that second chance!  The worst outcome for us is the always present possibility that they will die in our care, without experiencing the wild life they were born to live.  We want to make sure the cold weather is behind us and that insects are abundant once again, and then it will be time.  We can’t plan such an event, the timing is always a spur of the moment instinctual feeling that she’s ready, the weather is cooperating, the stars are aligned, and the bat gods are smiling upon her.

All the best dear one!  You have given us so much joy! Make lots of yellow bat babies!  Live a long, happy life!

northern yellow bat Fawn


This beautiful cave myotis (Myotis velifer) was hanging motionless in the same location for four days in the corner of Cait’s balcony. She was worried about him and was kind enough to contain him and have us check him out.  He turned out to be just fine! We fed and hydrated him for a few days and released him tonight. Thanks for caring Cait!

Austin bat presentations, education, outreach, talks, programs


These two girls were rescued from separate Houston apartment complexes back in June. They’ve been with us all summer and have just now recovered their strength.  The one on the left was not flying well just two weeks ago, but last week started sustaining flight and had the red “no-go” tag removed (actually red lip gloss on the ear). They’ll be so happy to be in the soft-release box; they can stay there until they find a great new home!

Austin bat presentations talks programs education outreach rescue rehabilitation evening bats

Austin bat presentations education talks programs outreach