Wildlife ecologist Tim Pearson and the flying fox colony in Bellingen

The reality is however much more interesting ... it is our local flying fox colony he is keeping an eye on - or rather an ear, because it is the acoustic ecology of these creatures that is his specialty.

It is an area of research that he says he ended up in more by accident than design but now there, he is passionate.

"After 25 years in corporate IT, I started getting involved in wildlife rescue and care for stress relief," Tim said.

"One thing led to another and I did a science degree at Macquarie University and then went on to specialise in animal behaviour and communication because I found it so fascinating."

He found flying foxes particularly interesting because they are now so common in urban areas.

"Whether we like it or not, over the last 20 years flying foxes have become more urbanised. We can either treat that as an inconvenience or try to live alongside each other.

"And if we choose the latter, then we need to understand these animals a little ... such as how they communicate and the different noises in the camps."

We are talking under the canopy of leaves and flying foxes on Bellingen's Bat Island, surrounded by the constant motion and soundscape of what has become a permanent colony.

"Right now it is the mating season ... that braying noise you hear is the male advertisement call. The males have set up their territories and they are defending it, so it can get really noisy at this time of the year."

Spend a minute with Tim and the island's soundscape:

Although writing his PhD is his main focus, Tim has also been assisting Bellingen Shire Council in their development of a Plan of Management for the island.

"Public education is part of the plan, so the council has been holding public forums and developing brochures and signs. 

"This is an amazing spot here because the colony is under no immediate threat of eviction and there are not a lot of dangers. In other areas that is not the case and there is often a lot of angst."

He said land clearing was the main factor forcing flying foxes into permanent colonies, something they never previously needed to do.

Heat stress was another danger to the animals - more intense and longer summers with fewer areas where they can find shade are forcing colonies to roost in less than ideal places.

"Being an ecologist in the 21^st century is not easy - we are always fighting a rearguard action, to preserve things that many people don't yet realise the importance of."

Tim has some final words of wisdom on co-habitation: 

"Don't handle a flying fox if you find one - if you don't touch it, there is no risk of catching anything. And if you do get bitten, don't ignore it, go and see your doctor."

Pasta, reggae and funk for clean water this Saturday

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