atxbats

Thank you donors! Our first Amplify Austin campaign was a big success! Thanks so much to all those who exemplified the “I Live Here, I Give Here” spirit, especially Individual Fundraiser Kyndal Irwin. Together we provided half a year’s food for Austin’s bats in need.

Thanks to all our 2017 Bat Angels:

Bridget Robinson, Margret Hill, Fabiola Campos, Amanda Irwin, Nancy Ballard, Dean Wolf, Jennifer Whale, Amber Cho, Kate Asaff, Jodi Bade, Jenny Holt, Shelley Hodges, Theresa Waller, Christine Miller, Susan Brooks, Matthew Putzi, Katie Fike, Cindy Bogard, Laura Rayburn, Martin Selbrede, Rebecca Neel, Anne Zabolio, Monica Donner, Shanna Bogaty, Lauren Suspensky, Betty Thoene, Ellie Watson, Carmen Garcia, Rory Hertzfeld, Michele Durovec, Dixie Davis, Deborah Daues, Christie Gardner, Robbie Nelson, Debbie Zent, Steve Reddick, Stephanie McCurley, and you seven anonymous secret bat admirers.

Posted on March 5, 2017, updated on March 5, 2017 by The Refuge

Evening bat. This time she took a big scoop of water. Sometimes she just grazes the surface and has to stick her tongue down for a lick. We love early evening in the flight cage!

austin bat

Posted on February 27, 2017, updated on March 5, 2017 by The Refuge

For the second consecutive night, Mexican free-tailed bats leave the Sierras and head to Eagle Pass, then up to the Uvalde area.
Frio Bat Cave (outside Uvalde) had it’s first large emergence of the year the next night.
View full screen in HD

Posted on February 25, 2017, updated on February 25, 2017 by The Refuge

True to her name this evening bat was out picking off moths well before dark. Injuries made her just a little too slow to make it in the wild, but she loves hunting the flight cage!

Austin Bat Refuge

Posted on February 22, 2017, updated on February 23, 2017 by The Refuge

Big bloom at D’Hanis Bridge, west of Hondo, the last few nights. We’ve seen little activity there all winter until just recently.

radar D'Hanis Bridge Mexican free-tailed bats

Posted on February 8, 2017, updated on February 23, 2017 by The Refuge

Surprisingly large blooms from Fern Cave Stuart Cave and Old Tunnel at 7:30 pm last night. Each bloom represents many hundreds of thousands of bats.
We expect big blooms from McNeil Bridge on warm winter nights, but in our experience it’s unusual to see such large blooms from the other roosts.

Texas winter bats Win

Posted on February 2, 2017 by The Refuge

The Flood family just became new members of the bat protection squad!
Thanks y’all for your act of compassion!

Here’s their post:

“We rescued this darling little Mexican Free-tailed bat earlier this evening as he was grounded in the middle of the road and nearly hit by several passing cars. We brought him home and called Lee and Diane at Austin Bat Refuge…they took him in and knew just what to do! 💕 Thankfully he had no broken bones and he seemed to be very healthy. Afer some TLC from Lee and Diane @ Austin Bat Refuge, it sounds like he’s going to be ok and will most likely be released back into the wild! 😊So thankful to them for all they do for these little guys… 💕If you ever find a grounded or injured bat, make sure to give them a call….and donate if you can! They have the biggest hearts for these little guys and do so much to house and care for the injured bats. Good people!!! Good cause!!! “

Posted on January 31, 2017, updated on January 31, 2017 by The Refuge

Here’s a great compilation of resources from Merlin Tuttle.

Resources

Posted on January 29, 2017, updated on January 29, 2017 by The Refuge

The bridge bats get all the press but these little beauties live in trees all around us and hardly anybody knows about them! Help us take care of our local bats by donating at austinbatrefuge.org. ‬ Pictured is one of this year’s red bat orphans. ‪

eastern red

Posted on July 21, 2016, updated on July 21, 2016 by The Refuge

Our first Amplify Austin a big success!

Heavy drinker

Spring Return to Uvalde area

Evening flyer

D’Hanis Bridge early Feb

Lots of mid-winter bats

Kindness Is Everything

Resources from Merlin

Leaf bats