Death metal music contributed to day one of dispersing the flying foxes from Heron and Albatross Roads in Catalina being declared a success.
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The goal was to stop the bats from returning to roost in the area on Monday to allow for council workers to begin clearing vegetation near houses most affected.
The team moved into Catalina at 4.30am but could not begin dispersal until 5.40am.
A team of about 20 people banged pots and pans, blew whistles and horns and played loud death metal music to disturb the bats as they returned to their roost at dawn.
Ego-Logical Australia senior ecologists Jason Berrigan said the bats flew in late.
“The bats weren’t here at 5am,” he said.
“When the bats begin to come in, we make the most racket.”
Mr Berrigan said it was a “fantastic success”.
“We arrived here early and maintained a solid noise presence,” he said.
“We had some really understanding neighbors and a fantastic effort by volunteers who had great enthusiasm despite the biting cold just before dawn.
“We managed to keep the bats in the air right up until seven o’clock when the machines started.”
Eurobodalla Shire Council director of planning Lindsay Usher was pleased the team was able to stop the bats from roosting.
“We can now get in and clear a buffer zone to give some relief to those residents who are most affected,” he said.
“Big thumbs up to all the community members to came down this morning to help.
“We will now discuss what worked well and what didn’t and see where we go from there in the next few days.”
Mayor Lindsay Brown thanked the volunteers for their efforts.
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