Flying fox numbers fluctuate

Increasing numbers of flying foxes are being reported at some camps across the Eurobodalla and Bega Valley shires.

In Eurobodalla, the Tuross Head flying-fox camp has seen an increase in extent and population size over the past week, and can now be seen from Hector McWilliam Drive.

Council’s natural resource officer Mitchell Jarvis said localised flowering of bloodwood and various eucalypt trees, a favoured food source, might explain the current expansion at Tuross.

“We don’t know how long the flying foxes will remain at the camps across the shire, however their natural pattern is to follow food sources,” he said.

“These generally reduce over winter in the Eurobodalla, and we see the flying foxes then head elsewhere.

“Some of the flying foxes camps are also currently very noisy and we think this is due to the breeding season.  In some camps even during the night they may be noisy as the young are left behind when the parents head out for food.”

Mr Jarvis said Council’s monitoring program of flying fox camps included regular communication with colleagues from adjoining shires and across NSW.

“We’re hearing of very significant fluctuations of flying fox numbers in camps in the Bega Valley too,” he said.

“We’ll continue to monitor the five active camps here in the Eurobodalla: Batemans Bay Water Gardens, Catalina, Moruya Heads, Tuross Head and Narooma.  We also suspect there are more camps that we are unaware of.

“The community can assist by notifying us of any new daytime camps.”

Council’s Eurobodalla Flying-Fox Management Plan sets the framework to assist reducing the impact of flying foxes on people and the conservation of the species.

“It can be extremely difficult to live near a flying fox camp and we will be looking to reinstate the subsidised services for some localities to assist affected residents as identified in the Plan,” Mr Jarvis said.

For more information, or to report new daytime camps, visit our flying fox page or phone Council’s natural resource officer Mitchell Jarvis on 4474 1263.