Flying-foxes in the Shoalhaven

We are currently seeing an increase in deceased Grey-headed flying foxes (a threatened species) within the Shoalhaven LGA. It is thought to be occurring due to the species consuming large amounts of the Cocos Palm fruit commonly found as an ornamental planting in gardens. Due to the recent heavy rain, the flying-foxes natural nectar sources have been depleted, resulting in the consumption of the Cocas Palm fruit and poisoning occurring.

If you would like to help our furry flying friends, please consider removing these fruits from known trees to reduce the likelihood of poisoning.

In their travels, flying-foxes disperse seeds in their droppings and carry a dusting of pollen from tree to tree, fertilising flowers as they feed. Eucalypts rely heavily on these pollinators, producing most of their nectar and pollen at night to coincide with when bats are active and keeping our native bushland healthy.

If you find an injured or deceased bat, please do not touch the animal, contact South Coast Wildlife Rescue or call 0418 427 214 (North of Batemans Bay) or 0417 238 921 (South of Batemans Bay).

We need Flying-foxes as much as they need us. Flying-foxes are essential to the ecology of the Shoalhaven. As inhabitants of the earth for over 35 million years, they solely propagate over 100 species of native trees. Without them, these habitats will perish, resulting in the removal of habitat for our native birds and the forest which we all enjoy.....

Take a look at the Flying-fox Newsletter published in the 'Document Library' on this web page.

Native animals such as the threatened Flying-fox are having to resort to flowering and fruiting trees in our backyards as they continue to be displaced from their natural habitat as a result of tree clearing and extreme weather conditions. Tree netting is a popular way to protect fruit from wildlife, however the wrong type of netting can be deadly and kill many types of native animals. Please use wildlife friendly netting in you backyard which has a mesh size of less than 5mm. Watch this video for more details.

Flying-foxes have been badly affected by recent drought and bushfires which have decimated their food resources. Recurring heat waves caused high mortalities at some camps and many pups were lost as they were abandoned by their undernourished nursing mothers. The behaviour of surviving animals has been unusual, including forming small camps in backyards to stay close to feeding sites.

During the day flying-foxes roost on tree branches in small and large groups called camps. At dusk they fly out in search of food. At dawn they return to their camps. Food shortages mean flying-foxes form camps closer to their food sources to conserve energy. When the local food supply runs out, or a better food source arises, the camps disperse. This seems to be what has been happening in the Shoalhaven; small scattered camps in new locations and flying-foxes feeding in our gardens and parks at night.

Individual attempts to disperse flying-foxes, usually with noise, are not successful, they only result in the animals taking flight, making a lot of noise, defecating over everything and re-settling within a short distance. It is also illegal to harass native animals and the flying-foxes in the Shoalhaven are a threatened species. Harming a threatened species is an offence under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and can result in fines. This why council and the State Government work with residents to reduce the impacts while the animals are in the camp and then work on the sites once the flying-foxes move to make them less attractive to the animals.

If you think a flying-fox camp has developed that we do not yet know about you can report its location to council on 02 4429 3491. If you would like to support the flying-foxes, while they are in our region, we suggest allowing them to feed on your fruit trees at night and leaving them alone in their camps during the day. If you live near a camp and you suspect they are being impacted by heat you can call Wildlife Rescue South Coast on 0418 4267 214 and they will alert carers who will attend the site and help the distressed animals.

Shoalhaven City Council is seeking interest from the community in attending an educational experience in North Nowra in the first half of 2019 (date and exact location yet to be confirmed).

The Flying-fox Educational Talk would provide an exciting opportunity to get involved with our flying-foxes and observe the spectacle that is the ‘fly out event’ on dusk.

People of all ages would be welcome to attend and discover our fascinating flying-foxes and how to protect them.

If you would be interested in attending such an event, please take a moment to let us know via our Event Form.

The recent online survey was designed to focus on the impacts/concerns that the community experienced most intensely and to help shape management responses to these.

The purpose of the survey was to understand people’s knowledge, awareness and attitudes towards flying-foxes, the impacts they experience from flying-foxes and actions they take to manage these.

The open online survey provided an opportunity for all community members to input into a Flying-fox Camp Management Plan - Brinawarr Street, Bomaderry. The survey was open for responses from 17 September 2018 to 13 November 2018 and received 155 responses.

In summary, the results of the online survey indicated that:

1. Participants strongly value the ecosystem services flying-foxes provide and would prefer they remain undisturbed at the present camp location and are further protected.

2. The impacts of most concern in order are that flying-fox numbers are declining, flying-foxes are not being seen as a valuable tourism opportunity, odour and noise. Residents impacted indicated that unpleasant odours are experienced more intensely during periods of heat or high humidity. Residents also indicated that noise is of most concern during the flying-in and fly-out periods (dusk and dawn). Although these issues can be mitigated, there is general uncertainty over how these can be truly managed and a feeling of helplessness.

3. Community resilience can be built through further education whilst working toward a long-term management solution.

4. They would like SCC and environmental organisations to work with the community to educate people on the ecological and potential tourism value of flying-foxes to the Shoalhaven.

The feedback obtained during the engagement process has helped identify preferred principles for future management actions that align with community values, feasible costs, animal welfare and conservation and community health.

View the survey data report.

Shoalhaven City Council recognise the flying-fox camp at Brinawarr Street, Bomaderry is again increasing in numbers/size following a decrease in numbers over winter. As a result, staff members have been visiting the camp regularly and undertaking surveys to monitor the numbers. As it stands, the population at the flying-fox camp is estimated at 3,500 individuals (4 January 2019).

Please keep in mind it is currently baby flying-fox season (view advisory poster). With the warming of the weather and an increase in heat events, you may encounter a flying fox on the ground. Please contact your local wildlife rescue group immediately (0418 427 214) and never attempt to rescue or handle a flying-fox; this could pose a risk to yourself and to the animal. Flying-foxes that scratch or bite an unvaccinated person have to be euthanised to be tested for disease.

Council obtained a grant from Local Government NSW and the NSW Office of Environment & Heritage to assist residents living in close proximity to the camp that may be experiencing any negative impacts. The grant has been extended to the end of March 2019 - if you require any assistance or help, please contact Council on 4429 3546 for further information.

The Shoalhaven Flying-fox Camp Survey is now open!

The survey is open from 17 September to 13 November 2018.

The survey aims to provide Council with the best means of co-creating a long-term environmental management solution for living in harmony with flying-foxes.

The uncertainty surrounding the spatial extent of potential flying-fox impacts in the future means it is important the Brinawarr Street Flying-fox Camp has a Council-wide focus.

Feedback from this survey will help identify preferred principles for future management actions that align with community values, feasible costs, animal welfare and conservation and community health.

Please allow approximately 15 minutes to complete the survey.

Begin the survey...

Community members are invited to attend a Community Engagement Event on Tuesday 16 October between 4pm – 6pm at Bomaderry Community Centre to contribute to discussions regarding flying-foxes in the Shoalhaven.

The event is being held to hear from local residents and provide the community with consistent and accurate advice. It is also a great opportunity for residents to seek advice from a number of flying-fox specialists with a range of experience and expertise.

Environmental Officers from Shoalhaven City Council and Threatened Species Officers from the NSW Office of Environment & Heritage will be attending the event along with a Flying-fox Veterinarian, a flying-fox expert from South Coast Wildlife Rescue and a professional facilitator.

Feedback provided by residents at the event will help inform a long-term environmental management solution for living in harmony with flying-foxes.

For further information, please contact Chloe Reekie, Council’s Planning and Assessment Officer on 4429 3514.

On 18 September 2018, Shoalhaven City Council staff installed a large interpretative sign at the Brinawarr Street Grey-headed Flying-fox Camp Bomaderry to help inform the community of the importance of this keystone species.

Last summer the number of Grey-headed Flying-foxes at the camp reached well into the thousands. Whilst some residents were thrilled to be living in close proximity to these very important animals, some residents had concerns about the potential risk of disease, and noise and odour from the camp. The new sign provides information that may help these residents better understand the species.

Council staff alongside local and experts from the NSW Office of Environment & Heritage are also encouraging Shoalhaven residents to have a discussion regarding the local Grey-headed Flying-fox population via a community engagement and information workshop to be held at the Bomaderry Community Centre on Tuesday 16 October, from 4-6pm.

Pictured: Kylie Coutts-McClelland (OEH), Fay Pedersen (Bomaderry resident), Janine Davies (Wildlife Rescue South Coast) Chloe Reekie (Shoalhaven City Council Environmental Officer) and Steen Pedersen (Bomaderry resident)