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]

Originally Posted by Philip Argy

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...

Originally Posted by 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.

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!

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??