Living in harmony with bats in church buildings

Finding bats roosting in your church building can be a cause for concern, particularly when dealing with the mess and damage caused by droppings. But, as Oliver Mitchell, Church Buildings Support Officer at the Diocese of Gloucester, explains, there is support available to protect both buildings and their bats, keeping all users of the church happy.

“Living over 40 years and migrating thousands of miles, there’s more to bats than you might think – as I discovered on an online training course for heritage professionals provided by the Bat Conservation Trust last month.

“Bats are not pests, and do not cause anything like the kind of disturbance that birds, squirrels, or rodents might. They don’t build gutter-blocking nests or chew through walls and cables. In fact, you might not notice you’re sharing your building with bats even if you go looking for them.

“Unlike mice or other small mammals we might find in our buildings, a breeding bat will only have a single baby each year. Many bats congregate in shared ‘maternity roosts’ where they birth and suckle their baked bean-sized babies together.

“Even the largest bat species in Britain gets no bigger than a pear, and most are smaller than your thumb. They feed on insects and can often be seen flitting about around dusk in the summer. Apart from habitat loss, threats to bats include predation by wild birds and domestic cat, and disturbance by artificial lighting.

“It is vital that those of us responsible ensure bats are protected…”

“In the wild, bats roost in hollows and sheltered crevices in woodland caves and ancient trees. It’s no wonder, then, that historic churches – with their timber roof voids and dark stony recesses – make a favoured alternative. In fact, 60–90% of historic churches have legally protected bat roosts, and many will have been home to bats for much of their long lives. It is vital, then, that those of us responsible ensure bats are protected when we undertake repairs or improvements to these buildings.

“All 18 species of bat found in Britain and Ireland are protected by both UK and international law. Disturbing bats or their roosts – including obstructing access to spaces they use even when they’re not there – may be a criminal offence, whether done intentionally or not.

“These strict controls are in place because bats’ preferred habitats are being lost as rapid development and modern agricultural practices degrade the natural environment. Bat numbers collapsed in the last century, and the breeding populations of today are increasingly reliant on peaceful co-existence with people for their continued survival.

“Any disturbance to bat roosts can have serious knock-on effects for the wider population – quite apart from the legal consequences for those responsible. A sound principle when considering building works that may disturb bats or their roosts is to rule bats out, not in, before going ahead.

“Support and advice are available…”

“Of course, it’s not always easy sharing your building with wild animals and bat droppings can damage church furnishings and cause ongoing problems for cleaning and hygiene in the church building. The good news is that support and advice are available, and finding bats doesn’t mean that building works cannot take place or that nothing can be done to mitigate the impact on church users. An ecologist will be able to offer pragmatic solutions to protect both buildings and their bats, keeping all users of the church happy.

“You might already know that your church building has bats. In that case, remember to show your roost letter or email to anyone you engage to work on the building. If you find bats unexpectedly, stop work immediately and seek professional advice

The Bat Conservation Trust and Bats in Churches websites are full of useful information, and as custodians of historic church buildings you may be eligible for free advice on bats from Natural England. Your local bat group will also be able to advise you, or you can call the National Bat Helpline on 0345 1300 228.