WWA Info Exchange

Rockfish · Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 2:24 am Post subject: Bat Fest

Just got back from Bat Fest. Awesome event!!

They were running 2 different stages with music. Got to hear Bob Schneider do one of his signature songs, Tarantula. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH8v1NGDVtw

Then there were some other classic Austin sights. One was a guy riding around on a bike wearing a Batman hood and playing Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire." And, of course, Leslie was there. Shocked

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leslie_Cochran

For those who may be wondering about Bat Fest. The Congress Street Bridge is home to about 1.5M Mexican Free-Tail bats. They fly out every night to begin their hunt of roughly 20,000 lbs of insects. It is a great scene to watch. Bat Fest is hosted on the Congress Street bridge. Not sure what the purpose is other than to prove we can have fun in 100F heat listen to some music, and watch the bats fly. BSEG

Mango · Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 7:07 am Post subject:

Must be a local thing BSEG

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eric · Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 7:14 am Post subject:

Rock,
I saw one bat in the twilight the other night and I was delighted.

I can't imagine how I'd feel with 1.5 million of the buggers!

Probably overwhelmed!

Sounds like you had fun, and that is a good thing!

Eric.

Tampa Tom · Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 8:08 am Post subject:

The Congress Street bridge, eh?

Didn't we travel over that last April? Lots of bats, huh? Pretty neat!
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Rockfish · Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 2:08 pm Post subject:

TT - Yep, the same bridge. Just picture 2-3 thousand people on the bridge at one time.

Eric - there are a bunch of bats around here. I live on the outskirts of town and see bats migrating every morning at the crack of dawn. It is really nice.

These guys really wipe out the insect population. I'm still amazed that the colony at the bridge chews through 10 tons of insects every night!!

Mango - a very Austin thing. Most normal people go inside when the temperature hits 100F. Wink

And . . . . it just gets wackier from there. There was also a lady that had a small black "drop kick" dog that she put bat wings on. BSEG

newtooth · Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 4:19 pm Post subject:

ROCKFISH: A question of curiosity. What does the bat "waste" do to whatever is under the bridge? That quantity of animals is staggering to my mind.
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vicia · Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 5:02 pm Post subject:

Rapid Roger · Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 5:45 pm Post subject:

[quote="newtooth"]ROCKFISH: A question of curiosity. What does the bat "waste" do to whatever is under the bridge? quote]

I'm not sure but.........dont stand under that bridge!!!!!!!! Shocked

Rog
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Verna · Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 5:51 pm Post subject:

Gene · Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 7:12 pm Post subject:

Rockfish · Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 12:07 am Post subject:

Newtooth - I think Leslie uses the guano as his hair mousse Wink

When I was in the Philippines there was a daily migration of bats - however they were fruit bats. Their bodies were the size of a poodle with a 7' wing span. Quite a sight!!

NB George · Veteran Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 1669

Guano is great high-nitrogen stuff. Bird and bat were both mined for munitions as well as fertilizer before the Haber process made it unnecessary.

Don't believe the basic (pH) batsquat will harm concrete, but you can bet if it were not "natural," the occupants of the bridge would be cited for pollution. It's a health hazard for some, and a real danger to groundwater, just as the phosphates of yore.

The northeast has another problem with bats at the moment. http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19726453.500-fatal-fungus-threatens-americas-bats.html Of course, it's attributed to "climate change" by those with another agenda.