Little red flying foxes. Picture: Brendan Radke.
Wildlife experts are pleading with residents to be patient as swarms of flying foxes take over trees in the southwest during mating season.
Bat Conservation and Rescue Queensland spokeswoman Katrina Faulkes-Leng said now is prime mating season for migratory little red flying foxes and the bats will move on in coming weeks to more suitable climates up north to birth their offspring.Flying foxes in the sky over Springfield. Submitted by local resident Emilee-Jo Russell.
“Every year you get an influx of complaints because of the size of the colony and the smell but it’s only ever temporary,” she said.
“We understand it’s very disruptive but it’s a fairly magical and spectacular part of nature.”
Mt Ommaney resident and part-time wildlife carer Lana Fields said trees around Westlake Dr were a popular roosting sport for black and grey flying foxes and ibis.
She said much of the negativity around flying foxes comes from lack of education.
“They are primarily fruit eaters and follow their food source,” she said.
“While we continue to have expansion and growth in this area of Brisbane we are continually taking away habitat.
“People think they’re smelly and dirty, well put 100 dogs in a room, that’s smelly and dirty.”
Locals took to the Springfield News Facebook page last week with photos and mixed views on the tiny bats.
Sherie Kenrick said she spots flying foxes flying every night over the Springfield Lakes area, while Sarah Santos called for a cull of a noisy colony in trees off Mur Blvd.
But Spring Mountain Estate resident Tezza Herrera was sympathetic: “Have not seen this many for over 12 years. Good to see them back”.
Springfield resident Emilee-Jo Russell said she said colonies of flying foxes heading over her Emeral Crescent home each evening provided an opportunity to teach her small daughter about a new animal.
“I have no problem with the bats. It’s a beautiful sight. It is a great novelty for me as well, originally moving from Western Australia to live in Springfield, I had never seen a bat let alone so many,” she said.
“They don’t disturb me in any way, though I can appreciate people not liking the amount of noise they can make when they are in large groups.”
Ms Faulkes-Leng said dry weather in the west and a late wet season has forced flying foxes into more residential areas this year.
“I have no problem with the bats. It’s a beautiful sight. It is a great novelty for me as well, originally moving from Western Australia to live in Springfield, I had never seen a bat let alone so many,” she said.
“They don’t disturb me in any way, though I can appreciate people not liking the amount of noise they can make when they are in large groups.”
Ms Faulkes-Leng said dry weather in the west and a late wet season has forced flying foxes into more residential areas this year.
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