A number of Blackmans Bay community members conducted the first known bat survey of the area on Saturday, October 5 with help from expert and South Hobart resident Dr Lisa Cawthen.
Under Dr Cawthen’s guidance the Eucalyptus amygdalina along Bluett’s Hill, Burwood Drive was surveyed with multiple sonar sensing devices.
“Kids and parents alike gripped the buzzing devices and eyes shot up to the glowing sky, catching glimpse after glimpse of micro bats in what we now guess is a bat highway in these parts,” Blackmans Bay Community Association (BBCA) President Louisa d’Arville described.
Four of Tasmania’s eight micro bat species were detected and identified within a two-hour period of the survey.
These included the world’s second smallest bat, the little forest bat, along with Tasmania’s largest and rarest bat, the eastern falsistrelle.
The eager surveyors also picked up calls of Gould’s wattled and chocolate wattled bats.
The neighbours of Burwood Drive have fought hard to protect and preserve the patches of trees along the ridgeline, which are home to a number of species including eastern barred bandicoots, banjo frogs, ringtail possums, striated pardalotes, fairy wrens and more.
“To identify Bluett’s Hill as being custodian to these species was incredibly moving and has everyone who was there considering their role in maintaining, preserving and creating habitat for these delightful residents,” Louisa said.
“Bats are wonderful insect controllers and one of Tasmania’s incredible natural values.”
