Flying foxes and fruit bat colonies where can I see the big bat roosts and the evening fly out

Wildlife guide so the flying fox picture which is a great spectacle The bats the big fruit bats you see are INDIAN FLYING FOXES large impressive bats with a wide wingspan that roost communally in big colonies hanging in the tops of tall trees by day and streaming out at DUSK to feed on fruit and flowers across the night sky they are a wonderful sight Where to see colonies and roosts flying fox colonies are found across the island often surprisingly in or near TOWNS and cities (they roost in big trees in urban parks gardens temple grounds and along waterways) look up at tall trees full of hanging dark shapes and chattering you will spot roosts in many places notable spots include the trees around some town centres lakes and parks (Colombo has roosts the botanical gardens and various town tree stands host big colonies) ask locally people know where the big roost trees are the BOTANICAL GARDENS and large old trees near water are classic roost sites The evening fly out the SPECTACLE the magic is at DUSK position yourself near a known roost (or anywhere with a big colony) around sunset and watch as the bats wake stir and stream out in their hundreds or thousands flying off to feed silhouetted against the sunset sky it is a genuinely spectacular wildlife moment and totally free just look up at the right time and place Safe to watch YES completely watching them is safe (you are just observing from below) they are not aggressive (do not handle any bat as with anywhere for hygiene but watching a fly out is perfectly safe) Pest or protected they are seen as a bit of a PEST by fruit growers (they raid mango and fruit trees) but they are a natural and important part of the ecosystem (pollinators and seed dispersers) they are wild and common rather than a tourist managed thing so it is free informal wildlife watching So to witness a big bat fly out find a known flying fox roost (often in town park temple or botanical garden trees near water ask locals for the big roost trees) and watch at DUSK as hundreds stream out across the sunset sky it is safe spectacular and free one of the easiest great wildlife sights here