SOUTHERN Downs Regional Council is monitoring a colony of flying foxes along the Condamine River, as Rose City residents report an increase in their numbers.

Residents have voiced their concern over the noise and smell created by the colony, which has moved close to homes and continues to grow in size.

Council manager of Environmental Services Tim O'Brien said the council had inspected to the colonies, following reports of an increase in sightings of flying foxes in the early evening.

"We have found that there is a build-up in numbers of Little Red Flying Foxes near the traditional roost of the black flying fox colony," he said

"The traditional roost is off the agricultural paddocks north of Grafton St near the Wallace St Bridge."

Mr O'Brien said the council would keep a close eye on the colony.

"Council has assessed the small increase in numbers," he said.

"We will monitor the situation and review any changes in the area"

Last year, council spent $25,000 scaring them away when they began roosting close to the Warwick High School.

Warwick wildlife carers have leapt to the defence of the flying foxes, saying that moving the bats isn't the way to go.

Warwick Wildlife Care and Rescue secretary Lyn Prowse-Bishop said people had to be bitten for the flying foxes to be dangerous.

Flying fox carer Cathi Kelly said the bats were migratory and need to roost near water.

"People in Warwick are anti-bats - they don't understand or care how important they are to the environment," she said.

"They are highly intelligent animals and I find them endearing."