Wildlife
The park is home to many species of birds, bats and other mammals, reptiles (tiger snakes and blue tongued lizards are common) insects and fish (esp. carp and eels) also regularly found are Rainbow Lorikeets, Red-rumped Parrots and Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, Water Rats and Brush-tail and Ringtail Possums.
Yarra Bend Park is also home to a colony of federally and state listed Vulnerable Grey-headed Flying Foxes. The colony took up residence in the Royal Botanic Gardens in 1986 but relocated to the more natural setting of Yarra Bend Park in 2003. The population is nomadic and migratory and varies in size from 3000 (winter) to 30,000 (summer). The protected bats pollinate and seed disperse native trees. The colony roosts in native hardwoods and can be easily seen from the lookout at Bellbird Picnic Reserve. The evening flyout is a facinating wildlife event. The bats are a loved part of Melbourne's night sky.
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