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| Resting bat/scribe |
Extremely large numbers of flying foxes are descending on Magnetic Island each night . They appear to be coming from the mainland . A longtime island resident says she has never seen them, also known as fruit bats , in such numbers. Wave after wave are seen in the sky, followed by screeching and rustling in trees as they go after pawpaws , mangoes, bananas and any form of blossom . It has been speculated that because of past fires and dry conditions in and around Townsville , land clearance , the bats are attracted to the island . It is not known if a power blackout on the island of more than two hours , not picked up by the mainland media, which seems to hang about in an upside down, sleepy news bramble patch , was caused by bats .
