Flying foxes?

[Philip Argy]

Can't say I've seen this in ATIS before this evening:


FLYING FOXES IN AREA


How unusual is that? I wonder if it's related to the Botanical Gardens eviction programme currently operating? And I wonder if foreign crews will know what creature they are being warned about!

[Andrew Coggan]

It was in the ATIS the other night as well.

[Nigel C]

It has made semi-regular appearances on the ATIS from February to May for the past few years, and there is currently a Notam advising of the hazard.
C1185/12
INCREASED FLYING FOX (FRUIT BAT) HAZARD
EXISTS IN VICINITY OF AD INCLUDING ALL RWY TKOF AND APPROACHES
FROM 05 310700 TO 06 301100 EST
DAILY 0700/1100

The season has started unusually late this year, and the known local camps at Kareela and Wolli Creek have been unusually quiet during the early months of the year. It is thought these camps have relocated south to around Batemans Bay, reason unknown. The current hazard seems to be coming from the north east in the early evening (as it did about 5 years ago too), but it's not known if these are the Royal Botanic Gardens mob, or the ones from Centennial Park. The past few years have seen the Wolli Creek camp causing nearly all the hassles.

[Philip Argy]

Shows how good MY situational awareness is!

Another great example of the wealth of information on SAMB - thanks, Nige. :)

[Nigel C]

I guess it goes to show there's more to airports and aviation than just aircraft ;)

[Philip Argy]

(even if it's a fruit bat) you'll find out all about it on SAMB!

[Bernie P]

Can't say I've seen this in ATIS before this evening: How unusual is that? I wonder if it's related to the Botanical Gardens eviction programme currently operating? And I wonder if foreign crews will know what creature they are being warned about!
Sorry to remind you of the correct nomenclature, but it is the BOTANIC Gardens... :D
It has made semi-regular appearances on the ATIS from February to May for the past few years, and there is currently a Notam advising of the hazard.

The season has started unusually late this year, and the known local camps at Kareela and Wolli Creek have been unusually quiet during the early months of the year. It is thought these camps have relocated south to around Batemans Bay, reason unknown. The current hazard seems to be coming from the north east in the early evening (as it did about 5 years ago too), but it's not known if these are the Royal Botanical Gardens mob, or the ones from Centennial Park. The past few years have seen the Wolli Creek camp causing nearly all the hassles.
Ditto...

As for the fly-out; the numbers within the Gardens are well down this year, and so far, the relocation being performed is going well. It is almost the perfect storm, for us, in that after three long years of research and data gathering, we are finally underway in removing them, and hopefully saving the heritage collection in the Palm Grove.

At this stage, I am not aware of where they are going, but it is being monitored via GPS collars that have been attached to the animals. All of which is in accordance to both State and Federal approvals with the conditions of consent that were given originally three years ago, and modified upon revision over those few years...

[Philip Argy]

Fantastic - a pedant catching out a Virgo! :o

Mind you, remembering about those people in glass houses, I'd be rechecking that the GPS collars really are "in accordance to both State and Federal approvals ..."

[Nigel C]

If anything ends up in our freezer with a GPS collar attached, I'll let you know ;)

[Bernie P]

Approved by the Ethics Committee... there was a fair bit of conjecture as to what/how, and the collars that they are wearing are good for several years with batt life is concerned...

If ANY turn up Nigel, be it collar or banding, could you let me know anyway??

[Philip Argy]

Do the GPS batteries have a lifetime guarantee? :)

[Bernie P]

I believe they are good for 4+ years, which I also understand, will outlive the GHFF that they are on, as they are only placed on adults, over a certain weight, and are considered 'good health' under the guidelines...

[Nigel C]

If ANY turn up Nigel, be it collar or banding, could you let me know anyway??

Yep, sure can.

Do you mind if it's only pieces or chunks that are retrieved? :D

[Bernie P]

Chunks are good - makes an easy stew...

[Nigel C]

They smell bad enough when 'fresh'. I'd hate to smell one all cooked up :eek:

[Bernie P]

Fruit Bat Soup 3 Fruit bats, well washed but either skinned nor eviscerated,
Water
1 tb Finely sliced fresh ginger,
1 lg Onion, quartered,

I knew if we were patient, this would become available. For all of you who have been waiting patiently to make your fruit bats into fruit bat soup, here's a recipe.

The following is a genuine recipe from Micronesia. Fruit bats, or flying foxes, are furry, fruit and nectar eating bats about the size of small rabbits. The make very affectionate pets.

Sea salt to taste, Chopped scallions, Soy sauce and/or coconut cream.

1. Place the bats in a large kettle and add water to cover, the ginger, onion, and salt. Bring to the boil and cook for 40 minutes. Strain broth into a second kettle.

2. Take the bats, skin them and discard the skin. Remove meat from the bones and return meat, and any of the viscera you fancy, to the broth. Heat.

3. Serve liberally sprinkled with scallions and further seasoned with soy sauce and/or coconut cream.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8020/7165848457_ee16535dd6_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/berniep/7165848457/)
bat-stew (http://www.flickr.com/photos/berniep/7165848457/) by AussiePomm (http://www.flickr.com/people/berniep/), on Flickr
Yummo!!!

[Philip Argy]

Could this be a Trent 100 stage 3 after ingesting a flock (?) of fruit bats? It surely can't be just Bernie's kettle cooker? And by the way Mr Botanic, what is the collective noun for fruit bats? A bowl? ;)

[Nigel C]

A mess

[Bernie P]

Now, wether or not they like to go camping, or are just 'camp', I'm not sure!!! :p