A most remarkable phenomenon is happening right now here on Bribie Island. Thousands of the Little Red Flying Foxes have come to enjoy the flowering trees. They are the only flying fox in the world that almost exclusively eats nectar. As many Australian eucalypts and related trees only make pollen at night, the bats are their pollinators as the bees only work in the daytime.
So, without these remarkable creatures and their cousins, the Black, Grey Headed and Spectacled flying foxes pollinating, there would be no koalas and no Australian trees for us to enjoy. With so much devastation at present, please be conscious of the need for these Little Red Bats.
They are migratory so will not stay long. They will be noisy and maybe a little on the nose, but this is a small disturbance for us for a short time for the valuable work they do for us humans and all creatures that need trees. Living in strong family groups they hang together and fly together en masse making highways in the sky at dusk. Something more than remarkable – a gift for us to observe in wonder!
Although thought of as a threat to humans, they do not attack. If a bat is sick or injured and on the ground no member of the public should touch it but should call Wildlife Rescue Queensland on 0478 901 801 to assist the bat.
While Little Reds are not regarded as endangered yet, the Australian government lists Grey-headed Flying Foxes as vulnerable. The recent clearing of trees near where the Little Reds are now camping disturbed the Greys and the Blacks, many of which had youngsters depending on them.
They need all the help they can get to raise their families. Look upwards in awe as they fly on the highways of the sky. Look closely at their translucent wings and remember without these bats, no trees, no tree dwellers, negatively impacting on our wellbeing.