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The dispersal of a flying fox colony has begun at Heron Road Catalina, on the morning of June 22.
Volunteers, ecologists, a sound specialist and Eurobodalla Shire Council officials and workers gathered in Batemans Bay at about 4am for induction.
The group then travelled to Heron Road to await the return of the flying fox colony from a night’s feeding, up to 50 kilometres from the site.
At the low-tech end, volunteers and workers were armed with pots and pans; at the high-tech end, sound specialist Ray Bratton wore a sonic back-pack, capable of directing loud noise away from homes, and towards the colony.
The colony has formed over several months in casaurinas around a water way in Catalina. It is a splinter group from a larger colony that began to form in 2012 in the Batemans Bay Water Garden.
Like the push for Britain to exit the European Union – or Brexit, as it has been dubbed – the push for Floxit - for flying foxes to exit urban areas – is fraught.
Eurobodalla Shire Council secured permission from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage to begin dispersal of the vulnerable species and councillors voted on Tuesday of last week to go ahead, despite concerns many dispersals did not work.
Those fears were not held by Mr Bratton, who has been engaged to make a noise at both the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney and in the Sutherland Shire.
He said the method was proven, but persistence was required.
An ecologist at the scene said the dispersal would be stopped immediately if flying foxes flew into power lines or were otherwise endangered.
Particular attention would be paid to pregnant bats or juveniles.
Volunteer Karen Tritton drove from Moruya.
“I think the flying foxes are cute and I love the environment,” she said.
The residents, however, had been putting up with significant discomfort, she said, and she wanted to help.
That volunteer effort, Mr Berrigan said, was crucial to a successful dispersal.
Eurobodalla mayor Lindsay Brown was at the scene and said he was, in the early hours of the morning, receiving messages of support as the dispersal crew gathered at the scene.
However, once the sound truly kicked in, not everyone was so sure.
“How long is this noise going to go on for?” Debra Walton posted on social media.
“I am going to go mad.”
“Will be all worth it once the bats are gone,” replied Jess Maree.
The council’s planning director Lindsay Usher was also there.
Bay Post reporter Emily Barton is at the scene.
More details as they come to hand.