tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post9124623181762394354..comments2023-03-18T18:19:26.000+11:00Comments on Hunter Valley Backyard Nature: #38 Singleton's Grey-headed Flying-foxesGayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02899430268722758947noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-81793462492428790242013-10-22T19:04:56.686+11:002013-10-22T19:04:56.686+11:00This is really a great read for me. Thank you for ...This is really a great read for me. Thank you for publishing articles having a great insight stimulates me to check more often for new write ups. Keep posting!<br /><br />Clover<br />www.n8fan.netCloverhttp://www.n8fan.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-21755731549112364792012-04-21T19:44:17.783+10:002012-04-21T19:44:17.783+10:00Hello,
quote>>>I do not agree with exter...Hello,<br /><br />quote>>>I do not agree with exterminating the bats - I just want them back in the bush where they belong.<<<quote<br /><br />I agree entirely. It's a distressing situation and I don't have any knowledge about moving bats on, so I can't comment other than if it could be done properly, I would be all for it.<br /><br />I don't know what the answer will eventually be.<br /><br />Regards,<br />GayeGayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02899430268722758947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-40824832208042665182012-04-20T18:13:32.242+10:002012-04-20T18:13:32.242+10:00Have you ever considered that in Singleton we live...Have you ever considered that in Singleton we live between two huge national park/wilderness areas. The guf about lack of habitat just doesn't hold up.<br /><br />I have been a Singleton resident since well before the bats arrived and feel that we have simply let a controllable situation get out of control due to undue external influences on our affairs. Bats have a place , just not here.<br /><br />I do not agree with exterminating the bats - I just want them back in the bush where they belong.<br /><br />I live in the flight path they use daily and have to put up with excrement on my house, cars, yard, washing the lot. This just cannot be healthy especially when there is significant scientific evidence that these bats harbour some of the nastiest bugs around. Just ask the equine industry.<br /><br />I can stand the noise most nights however the smell is horrible especially when it rains, and they are spreading to any and all trees around town. If they are not moved on then the mob mentality that wants them exterminated will just grow to unstoppable proportions.<br /><br />Move them on while we still have some trees, there is plenty of bush all around us and if you don’t believe that just go for a flight. Wollomi, Yengo, Goulburn River, and Barrington National Parks to name but a few key areas. Yes we have denuded large areas for mining and urban growth however I see no reason to not move the bats back to the bush. I for one have chopped all my large trees down, and that has helped me a little - The parks of Singleton are headed for the same fate - no trees and no bats!<br /><br />I like bats - just not in my back yard!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-91581431804359848852009-10-24T13:39:38.006+11:002009-10-24T13:39:38.006+11:00Hi gaye
Thank you for all the information that I...Hi gaye <br /><br />Thank you for all the information that I have recieved. You and our husband are very generess and passionate about these creatures. Tank you for the time your taken to get photos for me very much appreciated. Unfortanentl I do no live in singleton its self and I wouldn't want you to travel to far but thank you for your offer.<br /><br />I'm very greatful for the information you have surplied not for me but to every one.<br /><br />Well done.<br /><br />AndrewAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-89539203668348503722009-10-20T19:04:34.522+11:002009-10-20T19:04:34.522+11:00Hi Gaye
Interesting blog
It was a bit boring.....I...Hi Gaye<br />Interesting blog<br />It was a bit boring.....I only read about a quarter<br />See Im in Year 9 and am doing a project where I have to pick an issue of Singleton, explain the issue and identify one response for it, so I picked the bats at Burdekin Park. I thank you, as going through parts of your work gave me information for my project.<br />I haved lived in Singleton all my life and so has given me a great opinion of the bats. When it comes to the bats I say "move them, kill them, I couldnt really care, theyre just bats, theyre ruining our park, just get rid of them.<br />Perhaps next time if you write another blog like this again, perhaps you shouldnt be just one-sided. You only talked about how ashamed you were of people saying kill the bats, how everybody that you interviewed loved the bats, and how the bats had every right to be living in the park. Next I suggest you present arguements for both sides because thenyou wont get the people who hate the bats calling you an annoying stupid bat lover. Not that Im calling you that, thats just probably what some people might say.<br />If there is any other information that you think may help me with my project, I would love the extra. Your blog has given lots of help<br />Thanks StephAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-30727477937989276852009-08-24T13:43:23.673+10:002009-08-24T13:43:23.673+10:00Hi Gaye,
What a wonderful thread on the Grey-head...Hi Gaye,<br /><br />What a wonderful thread on the Grey-headed Flying-foxes of Burdekin Park. It's nice to know that some people realise there are more solutions to living with these creatures than just "shoot them all".<br /><br />My line of work is in ecology and I can't think of anything more close-minded than culling these beautiful animals. The irony is that it is the human clearing of forests and woodlands that has lead to the flying-foxes seeking refuge in a public park. I doubt they would choose that sort of habitat if there was better available. And now people say that 'they' are invading 'us'? Come on, who are they trying to fool?<br /><br />I visited the park yesterday to take some photos of them while they were snoozing and fanning themselves to cool off from the warm weather. They are obviously very social and charismatic creatures. <br /><br />I don't understand why people don't embrace the fact there is a threatened species in their hometown. <br />- The memorial issue can be solved with an appropriate cover or sail.<br />- The safety issue can be solved by carefully monitoring the stability of the trees in the park. <br />- The smell is nowhere near as horrible as people make out. <br /><br />People are worried about loosing the historic trees in the park (which are majority exotic). What about loosing our native flying-fox species? Parkland trees can be replaced, a species cannot.<br /><br />We should be doing what we can to help threatened species recover. Not head in the opposite direction. Let the flying-foxes use the park until they find somewhere else, naturally. The park isn't really large enough to support them for a long time anyway. But I'm glad I got some photos while they are still there.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />Kate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-7179926212470779072009-08-04T08:35:03.536+10:002009-08-04T08:35:03.536+10:00Hello Nut,
thank you for your comment. All const...Hello Nut,<br /><br />thank you for your comment. All constructive comments are extremely worthwhile, and I appreciate the time and effort readers take to add their comments to this environmental issue.<br /><br />Regards<br />GayeGayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02899430268722758947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-59087760282208972082009-08-04T08:33:01.754+10:002009-08-04T08:33:01.754+10:00Hello Ann Taylor,
thank you very much for your co...Hello Ann Taylor,<br /><br />thank you very much for your comment as an international visitor to Singleton, and hence, your opinion on the Flying Fox issue of this town. Your views, and response, is heartening.<br /><br />Regards<br />GayeGayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02899430268722758947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-79063486372294478382009-08-04T08:22:02.395+10:002009-08-04T08:22:02.395+10:00sadly Nut, Gaye is absolutely right in her comment...sadly Nut, Gaye is absolutely right in her comment regarding DECC.<br /><br />DECC (now DECCW) have refused to enforce their very sensible policy (only policy)which means they are stuck with their very limited legislation.<br /><br />It's only members of the public, through pressure on DEWHA, that have seen this matter and the other three relocation applications presently in play in NSW slow somewhat.<br /><br />2008 stood to be a horrible year for the flying-foxes but DEWHA made it not be. Thanks to Peter Garret.<br /><br />Victoria is about to start its own round. (Gaye, sorry I have been bogged down in Bairnsdale and shooting today, I will do something for you tomorrow).<br /><br />The Bairnsdale Flying Fox issue: A referral has been made under the federal EPBC legislation by the East Gippsland Shire Council to remove all the trees on the flying-fox camp site in Riverine St, Bairnsdale. The trees are all poplars (weed trees) and dying.<br /><br />StormAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-84848353258909099222009-08-04T06:45:21.017+10:002009-08-04T06:45:21.017+10:00Greetings Gaye,
I should like to pick at a few th...Greetings Gaye,<br /><br />I should like to pick at a few things but I also hope you appreciate how very much I agree with you on the conservation of this and other species and processes.<br /><br /><br />"Undertake a properly researched and implemented relocation to the edge of town or other appropriate location."<br /><br />Just be aware that it is the generally accepted view that relocations add to the problem as many times as they solve it.<br /><br />DECC - Flying Fox Management Policy:<br /><br />http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/threatenedspecies/ffcmp07281.pdf<br /><br /><br />"so you want to kill the bats simply because they stink?"<br /><br />In this comment there is passion, emotion and frustration, and there was only ever going to be one response. I am sorry but this is not the question to ask in a large meeting if the speaker wanted to enhance her position.<br /><br />"Firstly, the Council should seek advice from experienced bat handlers - not DECC, who have just an overall interest in the environment."<br /><br />I think you are very wrong on this. I point you to the document I have linked here, and though it may be somewhat overwhelming, it also highlights the process and position, it provides some answers and I think many questions and direction.<br /><br />I hope this has been helpful, nice blog post.<br /><br />nutAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-33722806528866332362009-08-03T08:27:42.914+10:002009-08-03T08:27:42.914+10:00As you can see by the information in the above lin...As you can see by the information in the above links, relocating a flying fox colony is extremely difficult and rarely successful.<br /><br />Here is some information that may be of use regarding the vulnerability of the species:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspecies/Grey-headedFlying-foxVulnerable.htm///" rel="nofollow">Why was the Grey-headed Flying Fox listed as vulnerable?</a>Gayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02899430268722758947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-16814123736419208042009-08-03T07:48:20.422+10:002009-08-03T07:48:20.422+10:00Hello Andrew and Abel,
I am going to ask a bat ca...Hello Andrew and Abel,<br /><br />I am going to ask a bat carer to add to my comments here, so please check this space over the next couple of days.<br /><br />Also, my husband went over to the park yesterday to take photos of the bats for you both. If you would like to make use of these, please let me via the email tab on the right-hand side of the home page of my blog, and I will make a CD (different images for each of you) and pop them into your letter box.<br /><br />Burdekin Park is far from ideal habitat for the bats. The area is too small, and there is far too much interference from human activity in the way of road traffic and human disturbance. The bat population has increased to an extent, that I personally feel that the park will have a very limited life span for the bats.<br /><br />There has been suggestion from towns folk and/or council, to lop the canopy of the trees to drastically reduce the usable space of the bats. Will this encourage the bats to move on, or simply disperse them into the yards of residents? I don't know.<br /><br />At the moment, I feel there is a hygiene issue at the park. I do not have any answers as to the remedy of this.<br /><br />I am sorry I can not be of more help.<br /><br />I will list some websites that may be of use:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/nrenpa.nsf/LinkView/40218D0B34530BB3CA256C6A007D817B16C869C35CA02BB14A256DEA00247222/" rel="nofollow">Relocating Melbourne's Flying Fox colony</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/welcome_to_bgt/feature_stories/proposed-flying-fox-relocation/" rel="nofollow">Proposed Flying Fox relocation - Sydney Botanic Garden</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/story/2006/05/31/apn-calliope-council-hit-over-flying-fox//" rel="nofollow">Calliope Council may be prosecuted over its handling of Flying Fox relocation</a>Gayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02899430268722758947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-90700566671767263272009-08-01T10:49:58.378+10:002009-08-01T10:49:58.378+10:00thank you gaye you help is very muched appreciated...thank you gaye you help is very muched appreciated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-47592996206961890492009-08-01T08:14:59.324+10:002009-08-01T08:14:59.324+10:00Hello Andrew,
It is so heartening that school stu...Hello Andrew,<br /><br />It is so heartening that school students are taking an interest in nature and the environmental issues and problems associated with our wildlife.<br /><br />I will do some research and chase up some web sites that you and Abel might find of interest and help. I will try to respond to your questions by Monday morning.<br /><br />Thank you for your contact.<br /><br />Regards<br />GayeGayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02899430268722758947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-80020477496207362942009-07-31T20:30:51.682+10:002009-07-31T20:30:51.682+10:00Thank you Gaye.
Your reply to my question was ext...Thank you Gaye.<br /><br />Your reply to my question was extremely information rich and I will be able to use much of what you have said as primary evidence. You have made a valuable contribution to my task, and for this I am very grateful.<br /><br />Thanks, Abel.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-34290173611849068682009-07-31T17:55:49.192+10:002009-07-31T17:55:49.192+10:00hi gaye,
first of all, after reading your blog i ...hi gaye,<br /><br />first of all, after reading your blog i have alot more knowledge on the flying fox and the way the community has reacted about this situation.<br /><br />i am also a year 10 student of singleton high school and have chosen to do my assignment on the "bat problem". As im a newer citizine to Singleton i have not been able to observe the "problems" that have arised over the years, i would really appreciate all your help.<br /><br />andrewAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-5917118202455125852009-07-31T13:06:28.609+10:002009-07-31T13:06:28.609+10:00Abel, I forgot to add something vital: the future!...Abel, I forgot to add something vital: the future!<br /><br />If the people of Australia planned and implemented work to create suitable places for bats to roost and feed in the future, then the bats are not likely to be the suburban problem that they now pose. The trouble is, the majority of the whingers only want satisfaction for the here and now, for themselves; they have offer no compassion for the future welfare of the bats, as long as they don't have to look at them in their own town here and now. It is a shameful attitude. We humans should be caring for all our native animals and then environment in which they live. The problem is habitat - or, more correctly, lack of suitable habitat. We humans can fix this for the future.<br /><br />Regards<br />GayeGayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02899430268722758947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-32111690049962707102009-07-31T12:56:52.597+10:002009-07-31T12:56:52.597+10:00. . . . . continued from previous comment . . . . .... . . . . continued from previous comment . . . . .<br /><br />I live in Singleton, well within earshot of the Burdekin Park bats. I can see them settling in to their roosting trees of a morning, and I can see them shifting about from my back yard. I can hear them chattering when ever they are chattering. None of this is offensive.<br /><br />I have lived in this house only for a few months, but so far, I have not found bat excrement on my washing hanging on my line. I do have some bat excrement on my car every morning, but I deal with that appropriately.<br /><br />The bats are mammals; they suckle their young; they wrap their young in their 'arms'; they nurture their young, and provide sustenance and protection for they young; they teach their young to survive in their world; they pass on the necessary skills for life on their own - if this all sounds rather familiar, you will be right. It is remarkably like you and me and our parents or carers.<br /><br />Because of the ever increasing human population, and expanding suburbia, the food trees and roosting trees in the bats' natural environment (which, by the way is not the Hunter Valley), are being destroyed. Bats are moving into suburbia simply because they are intelligent and resourceful animals surviving against the odds.<br /><br />So, my second point is, education and awareness.<br /><br />* Thirdly, Singleton's community at large says that they park is no longer usable. Well, that is not true. I see people using the park every day. Why not turn the bats into a tourist attraction to attract people to the town to see an unusual natural colony of native animals. I haven't got any ideas as to how it could be done, but a band of people committed to the welfare of the bats along with a band of people committed to bringing tourist dollars into the town should be able to do wonders.<br /><br />* Fourthly, people complain about the bat excrement defacing the war memorial. I have some personal views on this that will be mostly likely unpopular. But here they are: The war memorial is a monument to the local men and women who lost their lives while fighting for the freedom of our country. Would they really be upset if native Australian animals unavoidably splashed the memorial with their droppings? I think this is trivial. How many of the community that whinges about this lets their dog or cat defecate on property that isn't theirs? If it was stray dogs, or introduced feral starlings defecating on the memorial, then I believe that something serious should be done to remove the problem, but the bats are simply Australian native animals that have been displaced by humans. The bats lived in Australia before Europeans. We are using 'their' land, not vise versa. If the community is concerned about the bat faeces defacing the memorial, then why don't they get permission from the Council to have private fundraising functions to raise enough money to have 'sails' professionally erected over the memorial? Ideas and action are needed, not whinging.<br /><br />I hope my thoughts have been of some help to you, Abel, and I commend you in taking up such a controversial subject for a school project. Congratulations, and enjoy the project.<br /><br />Regards<br />GayeGayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02899430268722758947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-31063340660865473182009-07-31T12:56:01.379+10:002009-07-31T12:56:01.379+10:00Hello Abel,
thank you for your interest and quest...Hello Abel,<br /><br />thank you for your interest and questions.<br /><br />I have no experience in bat handling, or education in environmental science, so my views here will be purely personal.<br /><br />It appears the bats are here to stay, so "manage" is the appropriate word.<br /><br />* Firstly, the Council should seek advice from experienced bat handlers - not DECC, who have just an overall interest in the environment.<br /><br />* Secondly, there needs to be some positive and appropriate public education and awareness program, which will probably need to be ongoing. It appears that the vast majority of the Singleton community hate the bats to the point that they would just like them shot from the trees and carted up to the tip - end of problem. This is a thoroughly disgraceful attitude, and these irresponsible and selfish adults will be imparting their own bias and hatred onto their children - and hence, another generation of bat haters, instead of a generation of responsible citizens who are prepared to work to the benefit of all concerned, not just themselves.<br /><br />Ok, the bats are noisy, and occasionally smelly. Oh, and they are damaging trees, some of which are totally inappropriate for a public space (Bunya Pines that have huge, heavy seed cones that are capable of causing serious injury or death if a person is hit by a falling cone). As far as my research goes, I have not found any evidence that any of the trees hold any historical significance. Do the people who spout "historical significance" have any proof? If so, I'd like to see it.<br /><br />. . . . . continued in next comment. . . . .Gayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02899430268722758947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-90749918738108910852009-07-29T23:58:46.058+10:002009-07-29T23:58:46.058+10:00Hi Gaye.
I am a student in Year 10 at Singleton H...Hi Gaye.<br /><br />I am a student in Year 10 at Singleton High School this year. One of my major tasks this year is in Geography. It involves picking a certain geographical issue and researching it. It would be a great help if you could suggest some reasonable ways the bat issue could be managed.<br /><br />I understand this is much like the above comment made last year. <br /><br />Thanks, Abel.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-78953164216270061192009-05-14T09:58:00.000+10:002009-05-14T09:58:00.000+10:00Hi Gaye,
I visited your Park in Feb of 2007 on a ...Hi Gaye,<br /><br />I visited your Park in Feb of 2007 on a drive from Sydney to Tamworth. It was to be a short stop to feed a squaling infant. But we ended up staying for over an hour to watch you amazing bats. My 2 older children were fascinated and my parents were awestruck as well. We are from the US and bats here are small creatures only seen at dusk. My husband and father-in-law (Australians) were less impressed, but enjoyed watching the kids watch the bats. I think Singleton being on a major highway would be using the bats as a tourist attraction. Travelers who would normally drive straight through might stop and spend $s in your town if they knew there was this great park with the bats to watch. I'm all for adapting and getting along, the sails sound like a great idea. These bats aren't damaging anyones lives. Its not like the owls in the northwestern US, a lot of loggers lost their jobs over an owl, due to people insisting that we couldn't have logging and the owls. It turned out to be not true. In this instance it seems that everyone can cohabitate, with a little patience, perhaps some cleaning, and a little pride in your local attraction.<br /><br />Ann Taylor<br />Woodland, Washington USAAnn Taylornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-63757501657362324122008-05-08T11:33:00.000+10:002008-05-08T11:33:00.000+10:00It is most refreshing and encouraging to hear of a...It is most refreshing and encouraging to hear of a student's input into the "problem" of the bats in Singleton.<BR/><BR/>It will be the tolerant and intelligent attitude of the young, like you, who will be instrumental in educating narrow-minded adults of today.<BR/><BR/>Well done, and thank you most sincerely for leaving a comment so that others can feel proud of school students in our town.<BR/><BR/>Regards<BR/>GayeGayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02899430268722758947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-90706109791140181002008-04-29T16:02:00.000+10:002008-04-29T16:02:00.000+10:00Hi GayeWhat a relief it is to finally read somethi...Hi Gaye<BR/><BR/>What a relief it is to finally read something constructive about the bat population in Singleton, as all there seems to be is mindless, tunnel-visioned ranting in every form of media about how we should "shoot the vermin".<BR/><BR/>I'm in year 10 of highschool, and am writing a fieldwork essay on the affect that the bats are having on the town. As part of this, earlier this year I wandered around town square asking passers-by how they felt about it, taking a totally neutral stance. I guess I should have been prepared for the reactions I would get. <BR/><BR/>After interviewing a number of people I was feeling pretty good. They were neutral, for the most part, about the situation. Then I came to one woman who would be wake-up-call.<BR/><BR/>As soon as I approached her and told her the subject of the survey, I knew I was in for it. She snapped at me in reply to the questions as if I was one of the bats to be culled. I asked her, on a scale of 1 to 10 if she supported the Council's proposal to cull the bats and she said "100". The violent and aggressive 'bat-hate' jargan spilled out of her mouth for about 5 minutes until I quietly thanked her and wandered off and put my clipboard away. There was no way I wanted to face that again.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Again, thankyou for showing a fresh attitude. It's extremely mutual. Singleton's barbaric attitude must end.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-13844917257445076412008-02-17T13:50:00.000+11:002008-02-17T13:50:00.000+11:00hello Jo,what a refreshing, down to earth, and res...hello Jo,<BR/><BR/>what a refreshing, down to earth, and responsible attitude you have. While ever there are people with attitudes like yours in the community, there is hope for the wildlife that we live amongst.<BR/><BR/>Thank you very much for leaving a comment.<BR/><BR/>As a new resident to the area, and a nature lover, you might be interested in some of the other entries on my Nature Blog which features many and varied flora and fauna of the Singleton district and Hunter Valley.<BR/><BR/>And on another blog I have you might be interested to see my backyard lizard friends:<BR/><BR/>http://huntervalleyjournal.blogspot.com/2008/02/12-living-with-dragons.html<BR/><BR/>I hope you enjoy living in Singleton.<BR/><BR/>Kind regards<BR/>GayeGayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02899430268722758947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-431372659681922416.post-83262994515745641222008-02-17T11:03:00.000+11:002008-02-17T11:03:00.000+11:00Hi Gaye,I am a recent arrival to Singleton having ...Hi Gaye,<BR/><BR/>I am a recent arrival to Singleton having come from the Hawkesbury and one of the things I love most about Singleton is the bats.<BR/>I read quite a lot about the "bat problem" in the local newspapers during the twelve months before I decided to move here and so was keen to look at Burdekin Park to see the problem firsthand. What I discovered was a beautiful park where I was happy to spend time watching the amazing creatures who have made it their home. Yes, the trees have been damaged but I was certainly not weed on, there was not a huge amount of bat poo, the stink was not nearly as offensive as I had been led to believe, and the overall ambience of the park was very pleasant. But then, I'm a naturelover. I love watching the bats fly over my new home every evening. I love being able to go to the park and observe these facinating creatures at close range. I love the fabulous photo's you have of them on your website and I look forward to being able to replicate them with my own digital camera. <BR/>All power to you Gaye, for being one of those who understand the problems facing our natural world and the heritage we will leave to the generations to follow us.<BR/><BR/>Cheers<BR/>JoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com