Annual Arrival of Bats in Comfort
May 24, 2009 by Paris and John
Filed under News and Festivals
According to the census, the small Kendall County town of Comfort holds claim to 2,358 permanent residents. However, each May through October the Hill Country community welcomes more than 3 million temporary Texans– Mexican free-tailed bats. Following close behind are flocks of tourists eager to catch a glimpse of the migrating mammals.
Since 1942, these nocturnal inhabitants have considered an abandoned railroad tunnel in the Old Tunnel Wildlife Management Area their summertime sanctuary. Winged wonders against a twilight backdrop, the bats emerge each evening for flights which will take them 25 to 30 miles in their search for sustenance before returning to their roost by daybreak.
One of the best places for checking out these “children of the night” is the deck at Alamo Springs General Store & Cafe, located next to the back cave. Serving traditional Lone Star cuisine seven days a week from 10 AM until 10 PM, folks dining on Friday nights can enjoy live music as they watch the bats fly by.
For more information:
• visit www.comfortchamberofcommerce.com
