McNeil Bridge Bat Interpretation
Project Leader: Christie Gardner
Location: NAPA Auto Parts
601 S Interstate 35
Round Rock, Texas
Goal: Educate the public on the migratory Mexican Free-tailed
Bat at McNeil Bridge.
When you hear the word bats do you say Ugh! As a Goodwater Master Naturalist you probably know better because you have heard Dianne Odegard talk about the immense value bats have to our ecology. Our chapter, volunteers on Friday nights from April-October at McNeil Bridge in Round Rock to educate the public about the benefits of having bats in the neighborhood. Our hardworking Mexican Free Tail single moms are raising one pup each year, while helping our corn and cotton farmers by eating over 1,000 moths per hour, per bat each evening! They are so special that the State of Texas built bridges for them like McNeil. Our job is to stand at Napa Auto Parts and spread the good news about bats as we watch them emerge from the bridge on Friday nights. It is quite a sight to behold 3-4 million bats flying out of the bridge! Use SignUp Genius to volunteer with us and share the excitement and wonder of nature!
| Date | Sunset Time | Bat Emergence Time |
| 4/6/18 | 7:53 p.m. | |
| 4/13/18 | 7:57 p.m. | |
| 4/20/18 | 8:02 p.m. | |
| 4/27/18 | 8:04 p.m. | |
| 5/4/18 | 8:11 p.m. | |
| 5/11/18 | 8:15 p.m. | |
| 5/18/18 | 8:20 p.m. | |
| 5/25/18 | 8:24 p.m. | |
| 6/1/18 | 8:28 p.m. |