At dusk each evening for the past few weeks the skies around Pambula have been filled with grey-headed flying foxes as they head from out their camp at Panboola in search of food. They eat mainly nectar and pollen of eucalypts, melaleucas and banksias.
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"We are delighted to have a healthy population of grey-headed flying foxes at Panboola. Flying foxes play a crucial role in the Australian ecosystem by being one of the most efficient pollinators and seed dispersers of Australian trees." Robyn Kesby of Pambula Wetlands and Heritage Project said.
"We don't know how long the flying foxes will remain at the camp, however their natural pattern is to follow food sources which generally reduce over winter in the south coast, and we expect to see them head elsewhere" she said.
A recent attempt to count the Panboola population estimated that approximately 22,000 flying foxes are present. It is only the second time in Panboola's 20 year history that the flying foxes have made a camp at there with the current group arriving in early February. Pambula co-ordinator Michelle Richmond said a small number of residents living very close to the colony have been concerned.
"We wish to reassure the community that living close to the camp or having flying foxes in your garden is not a health risk" Ms Richmond said.
The grey-headed flying-fox is listed as 'vulnerable' under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and the federal government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
"The presence of this population demonstrates the success of Panboola as a conservation site established to provide habitat for native species," Ms Kesby said.
Families and photographers are gathering at Panboola at dusk to watch the spectacle of the fly out event. "It is such a wonderful opportunity for people to discover these fascinating creatures and we encourage people to take up this opportunity before they move on," said Ms Richmond.
