One of my very favourite things to do at this time of year, is to run outside around 8:15 each night, to watch the bats fly over. We haven't been sitting outside on the deck that much this season, which is a shame because it's bloody lovely out there but the mosquitoes have been not only vicious but also prolific - nothing seems to keep them away. So we head out with the best of intentions and then end up running inside for cover. But no matter how bad the mozzies, I always make sure I at least catch a glimpse of the bats.
I've mentioned before that we have a small, transient colony of Grey-Headed Flying Foxes just down the road, and that's where these bats are flying out from. Even though the colony is small, the fly out is always impressive. Just watching these creatures take to the air, silently flying past is perfection to me. What can I say - I don't get out often 😂 Even better, some of the bats are landing in the trees just across the road and when they're in there and eating away, they also argue and I love listening to their constant chatter.
So today I decided to head in and have a wander around the outskirts of the colony. I could hear them chattering away as soon as I got out of the car and was super happy to see that the colony has expanded from my last visit. I suspect that this is due partially to the coming together of males and females again now that the babies have been born and are pretty much independent - larger colonies break up after mating has occurred with females joining maternal camps before the males rejoin them generally around summer. But bats will move about depending on available food resources and this patch of land is pretty much untouched and nice and healthy. Either way, I'm very happy to have them here.
Now I get that bats aren't everyone's favourite animal. Sure they are noisy and smelly but have you seen my dogs?! How could you not love these super important pollinators? Just look at their little faces!!! And if that isn't enough reason to love them, I'll just leave this little fact here: they perform oral sex. And I witnessed it today. As one male really enjoyed his afternoon, alone. You're welcome!
Grey-Headed Flying Foxes
Northern Illawarra
