Grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) licking bloodwood.
Image: Vivien Jones
Source: Vivien Jones
Summer is a great time to watch wildlife in the bush, at the beach or in your backyard.
Many species become more active, making the most of the warmth and abundant food sources.
Museum Victoria's Kate Phillips, who coordinated the book Melbourne's Wildlife, had some close encounters over summer with animals featured in the book:
'We went to see the Grey-headed Flying-foxes at Bellbird Picnic area, Yarra Bend. There is a great view from the path along the riverbank. My children were fascinated to watch hundreds of bats roosting in the trees.
'A few days later we were with friends at nearby Studley Park, where they saw an Eastern Tiger Snake swim across the river. Luckily they found this exciting, however I wondered if the many Dusky Moorhens also there with their fluffy young felt alarmed.'
Published in October, Melbourne's Wildlife has received much positive feedback, with readers finding it very useful in identifying the surprising diversity of animals in their backyards and local bushland.
Melbourne's Wildlife is on sale at the Melbourne Museum shop, online from CSIRO Publishing and at selected bookstores (RRP $39.95).