Gungahlin SEE-Change Little Red Flying Fox survey at Lake Ginninderra

Gungahlin SEE-Change group conduct first time bat count.

Continuing with our focus on encouraging and protecting backyard biodiversity, the Gungahlin SEE-Change core group and some guests gathered beside Lake Ginninderra on the morning of Saturday 30th of January to observe and survey a recently settled colony of little red flying foxes.

About 10 of us met with ANU ecologist and PhD candidate Belinda Wilson to learn more about the mega-bat species. Belinda is also an ACT Wildlife volunteer and a member of the Australasian Bat Society and was happy to share what she knew about bats. Bats are a highly social and gregarious species and even have their own language.

Did you know flying foxes only have one nipple located under their armpit, and that they tend to settle close to a water source where they can skim the water, soaking their fur which they can later lick off?

After listening to Belinda’s talk we got to work conducting a first time official survey of the colony. As they played in the tree tops with each other, we counted 263 flying foxes, including a number of juveniles. We hope to assist Belinda with regular surveys of the colony in the future.

Once the survey was completed, we continued our bat chat over coffee at a nearby cafe, learning even more about this fascinating species. Belinda talked about the widespread negative opinion of bats and the importance of educating people to the important role they play as pollinators in keeping our ecosystem vibrant and healthy.

Monitoring bat numbers in the various ACT colonies is a crucial part of ensuring their health and survival in a warming climate. If you'd like to take part in monitoring activities contact Belinda Wilson at :

absflyingfoxmonitoringact@gmail.com

To learn more about bats please visit the Australasian Bat Society

If you would like to connect with the Gungahlin SEE-Change group you contact us at gungahlin@see-change.org.au