Grey-headed Flying Fox Pteropus poliocephalus
Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, Australia

Grey-headed Flying Foxes can be seen around Sydney, in groups called camps. Flying fox camps can be made up of many thousands of bats hanging from the branches of trees - as some of the photos below show. The camps are often located in gullies of eucalypt forests or in mangrove forests and Grey-headed Flying Foxes also roost in trees of urban parks, the most famous camp being located in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney. As the Gardens open early each morning and are located right in the heart of the City, it’s very easy indeed to wander down to have a close look.

Grey-headed Flying Foxes eat nectar and pollen from the blossoms of native trees, in particular gum trees, native fruits, especially of rainforest trees, and orchard fruits when their preferred foods are not available. They may travel up to 50 km each night from their camp to feed. Flying Foxes can be seen in many parts of Sydney leaving their roosts just after sunset. October to March is the best time to see large groups, during the rest of the year, numbers drop as individuals move around or disperse to other colonies. Females can be seen carrying infants in October and November, while juveniles can be seen learning to fly in January.

Despite the large number of bats here, the Grey-headed Flying Fox is listed as a vulnerable species under both Commonwealth & NSW legislation (2001). Population estimates indicate a 30% decline between1990-2000. There were many millions in 1930’s but less than 450,000 in 2004, and in the next few years there may be a total ban on killing them. To appease farmers, state governments are investigating the possibility of subsidising netting, to prevent foxes getting to their crops. But where will flying foxes find their food? It is important to ensure that enough of their natural habitat, coastal eucalypt forests, is protected to maintain a viable population of these extraordinary creatures. Flying foxes play a significant role in maintaining the forest ecosystem. When they eat fruit and browse on blossoms, they carry seed and pollen from tree to tree, thus spreading the gene pool around and helping to regenerate isolated pockets of forest. If the bats go, this living corridor will also disappear.

For more information:
ABC Science online - Flying Fox
Living Harbour - Grey-headed Flying Fox
SydneyBats.org
Royal Botanic Gardens
Bat Atlas

All photographs © Charlie Moores