I worked together with biodiversity officer Penny Coulson to organise two guided flying-fox tours in Yarra Bend Park, one family friendly event and one sunset fly out on 30 October. This was a Halloween inspired event, but we were lucky to have planned it for the day before because it turned out to be much better weather!
It was great to have people show up in costumes for the family friendly event! We had a good moment discussing what the flying-foxes eat and where they fly at night. Children could also play bat bingo. We even had people stay for the fly out tour after the first event. Deborah Ladd joined us to talk about her children’s book on the flying-foxes in Yarra Bend park and the work of the Friends of Bats.
Penny Coulson has done amazing work starting a trial of a free netting swap program. Residents can drop off their unsafe fruit tree netting (mesh size of 5x5mm or more) and receive a wildlife friendly version. She shared a bit about her work and brought unsafe netting to show people what it looks like. The flying-foxes in Yarra Bend Park have a good neighbour in Boroondara city council.
The fly out is always extra special, especially with a gorgeous sunset. We saw the bats get ready to leave for the night, have a drink from the river and fly overhead as we walked back in the last light.
