That’s quite a voice!
The main form of communication for Flying-foxes is sound, and because their hearing range is similar to our own, thus the sounds they make we can hear quite easily.
Over 30 different sounds have been recorded, these calls are used to identify each other and defend their territory.
Flying-foxes are noisiest during dawn and dusk, as the individuals of the colony prepare to move in and out of the area.
Calls during the day are usually occur during the mating season – in autumn. Daytime calls are often in response to disturbances include:
- Roaming dogs
- Birds of prey
- Loud noises
- People walking through the campsite
The pollinators of the Australian night
Flying-foxes are incredibly important for the reproduction, regeneration and dispersal of native plants in our country.
Basically, as the flying-fox seeks nectar in flowering native plants they also pollinate the flower – which in turn helps the production of seeds.
A Flying-fox can fly up to almost 90 kilometres during the night!
During the long journey, the Flying-fox can spread seed and pollen over a large area - with up to 60,000 seeds being dispersed during the night. The entire process helps in assisting the regeneration of our native bushland, and can also help in establishing some new bushland areas.
Co-dependence with plants
The theory of co-dependence between native flowering plants and flying-foxes has established that the survival of our native eucalyptus plants is closely tied to the survival of our Flying-foxes.
Flying-foxes pollinate the eucalypts and the eucalypts provide nectar in return, creating a mutually beneficial relationship.
This theory is supported by a variety of evidence, including:
- The distribution patterns of eucalyptus plants and flying fox distribution
- The nocturnal production of nectar coinciding with flying-fox activity
- The biological adaptations flying-foxes have gained to assist in locating flowering eucalyptus plants
The History of Leaney’s Bend Flying Fox Colony
The Grey-headed Flying-fox colony have occupied camps within the area for quite a few decades, this colony used to occupy some Willow trees below the Hume Weir wall about 30-40 years ago. The colony eventually established itself in the Albury Botanic Gardens in September of 2013.
Quite a bit of concern was raised about the potential damage to the Botanic Gardens, public health, safety risks, as well as, potential impacts on the colony itself. To solve the problem, a number of different experts were engaged. The experts assisted by providing advice on the options for managing the Flying-fox colony, in the end relocation of the colony was regarded as the best choice – the colony was dispersed in May 2014.
The colony settled itself near Bungambrawartha Creek in Padman Park, however the campsite was deemed inappropriate as the location of the colony was in close proximity to residential, recreational and culturally significant area.
Another relocation was proposed and undertaken, the colony was dispersed and relocated to Leaney’s Bend. Where they reside now!
For Your Safety
Occasionally juvenile or injured flying-foxes may be found on the ground or caught in netting or fencing. For your own safety, do not attempt to handle these animals. Only trained individuals who are protected by a vaccination should handle and care for the flying-foxes.
For Flying-fox emergencies contact: WIRES on 1800 094 737
Padman Park (Leaney’s Bend) Flying-fox Camp Management Plan
We have developed a camp management plan to record how the Padman Park (Leaney’s Bend) flying-fox camp will be managed.
The objectives of the plan are to:
- enable long-term conservation of flying-foxes in appropriate locations
- ensure management is sympathetic to flying-fox behaviours and requirements
- ensure flying-fox welfare is a priority during all works
- ensure camp management is consistent with broader conservation management strategies that may be developed to protect threatened species/communities and are consistent with the NSW Flying-fox Camp Management Policy (OEH 2015b)
- ensure camp management does not contribute to loss of biodiversity or increase threats to threatened species/communities
- clearly outline the camp management actions that have been approved and will be utilised at the camp
- ensure camp management activities do not lead to a change in the vegetation structure or microclimatic conditions of the current camp area
- minimise impacts to the community and manage public health and safety risks, while conserving flying-foxes and their habitat
- educate the public, increase public awareness of Flying-foxes and benefits to the environment and local ecology.