Don't underestimate the enthusiasm and dedication people have for the flying-foxes along the Birrarung!
Sunday 23 November was a special event: a daybreak paddle to see the flying-foxes during fly-in, in collaboration with Mappa Outdoor and Up The Creek. Get a sense of the vibe here.
My partnership with Mappa Outdoor goes back to early 2024, and I greatly appreciate the Mappa team. We have delivered guided flying-fox tours several times now, and they always manage to get a dedicated group of people together who are excited to learn more about the flying-foxes. The recent collaboration with Up The Creek has brought this to the next (water)level, making it possible to paddle on the Birrarung and become even more immersed in this special place.
We gathered at 5am (!) for the daybreak paddle, and even more impressive: it was still raining! Despite the early call time and the showers, people still showed up in good spirits. We waited out the worst of the rain and chatted over coffee about all things bats. At our shelter, we had an incredible view on the flying-foxes arriving home after a night of foraging, their silhouettes in the dawn sky as the morning calls of kookaburras started.
After brief introductions, we embraced the rain and started to paddle downstream towards the flying-fox roost. It is an impressive experience to see bats fly over the river in the distance as you approach the roost. The bats were chatty and still energetic after their night out.
The rain even intensified when it was time to return and paddle upstream, with stronger than usual currents. This led to some hilarious situations as we tried to navigate the Birrarung, the boat and the rain with our paddle partners.
Considering where human-flying-fox relationships have come from, with the vilification and persecution of the bats in Australia the past 200 years, it was uplifting to be part of this event and see people show up like this. Thanks to Mappa and Up The Creek!
