Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Season Starts Early

Austin, TX · March 21, 2026

Good morning, Austin — the bats are back, and so is the warmth.

Local Pulse

Congress Avenue Bridge Bats Spotted Two Weeks Early Bat Conservation International confirmed the first significant emergence of Mexican free-tailed bats last evening, roughly two weeks ahead of the typical late-March arrival. Warmer-than-usual February temperatures likely prompted the early return.
Downtown Austin Alliance Unveils Sixth Street Safety Plan The alliance outlined a $2.4 million proposal for improved lighting, additional security cameras, and weekend ambassador patrols along East Sixth Street between Congress and I-35. City council will review the plan at its April 3 meeting.
Austin ISD Reports Record Dual-Credit Enrollment Over 4,800 high school students are enrolled in college-credit courses this semester through partnerships with Austin Community College, a 22% increase from last spring.

High 80°F · Low 58°F Sunny and breezy with wind gusts up to 15 mph from the southwest. Great day for an outdoor lunch or an evening bat-watching session.

Zilker Botanical Garden Spring Plant Sale Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd 9 AM – 2 PM Hundreds of native and adapted plants from local nurseries. Master gardeners on hand for planting advice.
East Austin Studio Tour Preview Night Various studios along East Cesar Chavez and Springdale 6 PM – 9 PM Sneak peek at over 40 studios before the main tour next weekend. Most studios offer free refreshments.
Alamo Drafthouse "Weird Wednesday" Double Feature Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, 1120 S Lamar Blvd 7 PM Two cult classics on 35mm. This week: a Texas-made double bill curated by the American Genre Film Archive.
Thursday Night Social Run Hops & Grain Brewery, 507 Calles St 6:30 PM Three-mile group run through East Austin followed by post-run pints. All paces welcome.

Cisco's Restaurant Bakery Tucked on East Sixth since 1948, Cisco's has served breakfast to every sitting Texas governor since the 1960s — a tradition owner Rudy Cisneros Sr. started by simply mailing invitations to the Capitol. The huevos rancheros are legendary, but regulars swear by the cinnamon rolls baked fresh each morning before dawn. Last year the Cisneros family completed a careful renovation that preserved the original Formica countertops and neon signage while adding modern kitchen equipment behind the scenes.

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