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Bats seek refuge in churches, causing damage and disruption

Research suggests that approximately 50 percent of churches in England are home to bat populations.

This task can only be accomplished under the cover of darkness, when the world is hushed and still.

Natterer's bat flying past a gravestone. It is a pitch black night, and the grey cross-shaped stone is well lit while the bat passes it. — About half of all churches in England have bats in them

As the sun dips below the horizon, a team of bat hunters makes its way through the gravestones of Guestwick Church in Norfolk, their footsteps quiet on the evening air.

The creaky door swings open, revealing a dimly lit, deserted church interior, where the team begins to set up their specialized equipment.

Infrared and thermal cameras are carefully positioned to capture the bats' movements, while audio detectors are tuned to frequencies that will pick up the sounds of the bats' high-pitched chatter.

Before long, the bats begin to emerge, flitting and swooping through the aisles as their amplified calls fill the historic building, creating an otherworldly atmosphere.

According to Diana Spencer of the Bats in Churches Project, many of these ancient churches have likely been home to bats for centuries, with some structures standing for over 1,000 years.

A recent study published in the British Ecological Society's journal People & Nature reveals that these historic buildings are providing crucial habitats for nocturnal animals like bats.

The research, which drew on citizen science surveys led by the Bat Conservation Trust, estimates that approximately half of England's churches – over 8,000 – are home to bat populations.

This figure rises to around 80% for older churches, highlighting the significant role these structures play in supporting bat populations.

Spencer notes that churches offer bats an ideal environment, with their complex architecture featuring numerous nooks and crannies for roosting, large open spaces for flight, and dry areas shielded from the elements.

This unique combination of features creates a "man-made forest" that is perfectly suited to the needs of bats, providing them with a safe and welcoming space to thrive.

Guestwick Church is home to two species of bats: Common Pipistrelles and Natterer's, which roost high up in the rafters, their tiny forms silhouetted against the darkness.

A woman looks into a screen in a church at night. the image is mainly dark, apart from a small screen that shows an image of the roof of church. It glows in the darkness, illuminating the woman's face who is staring intently at it. — Special cameras are needed to spot the nocturnal animals

Natterer's bat flying under the roof of a church. the roof beams are old and worn, and the brickwork is distressed. The bat is mid-flight. It's wings are black and its body is pale grey. — Churches have plenty of spots where the Natterer's bat likes to roost

The Pipistrelles are the first to emerge, flying around the church for a few minutes before squeezing through narrow gaps around the door to venture out into the night.

The Natterer's bats follow shortly, preferring to exit through small holes in the roof as they take to the skies in search of food.

Without the aid of specialized cameras, the bats would be almost impossible to spot, lost in the darkness as they flit and flutter through the church.

The study found that around a third of the churches surveyed were unaware that they were hosting bat populations, highlighting the need for greater awareness and education.

In some cases, however, the presence of bats was all too apparent, with the animals leaving behind telltale signs of their occupancy, such as urine and droppings.

Graeme Peart, responsible for the upkeep of St Margaret's Church in Saxlingham, notes that the bats can be "lovely" but also "problematic," requiring careful management to mitigate the impact of their presence.

Peart has been dealing with the challenges posed by the bats for around 15 years, citing issues such as urine and droppings damage, as well as the destruction of brass fixtures.

One notable incident involved a carpet leading up to the altar, which became saturated with urine and droppings and had to be discarded, highlighting the need for effective solutions to manage the bats' presence.

As bats are legally protected in the UK, removal is not a viable option, and churches must instead work to find ways to coexist with these creatures.

Stained glass window inside Guestwick church. The sunshine beams through it, highlighting colourful stained glass images of nature, including a bat, fish, birds, and leaves from plants and trees. — Church users are finding ways to live alongside wildlife

St Margaret's Church has collaborated with the Bats in Churches team to develop a solution, constructing a sealed-off loft conversion above the vestry to provide an alternative roosting site for the bats.

Ecologist Phillip Parker climbs a ladder to show off the interior of the loft, which has been equipped with CCTV cameras to monitor the bats' behavior.

The idea behind the loft conversion is to encourage the bats to roost in this designated area, rather than in the main body of the church, reducing the impact of their presence on the church and its users.

The CCTV cameras have already yielded valuable insights into the bats' behavior, revealing patterns of activity that were previously unknown.

Parker notes that the bats' numbers can fluctuate significantly, with up to 100 individuals present in the loft at certain times, only to disappear for around 10 days before returning once more.

Without the CCTV cameras, these patterns would have gone unnoticed, highlighting the importance of monitoring and research in understanding and managing bat populations.

Initiatives like the loft conversion require significant investment, in terms of both time and money.

Inside a church, a brown ornate door is open and the vestry can be seen through it. Above it, another door is open to show the bat loft. It is dark inside, but the rafters of the roof can just be made out. The wall surrounding the open doors is pale grey stone, with an ornate carving on the right hand side. — The bat loft at St Margaret's sits above the vestry

The construction of the loft and the ongoing monitoring of the bats has come at a cost of around £50,000, which was funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund and other partners.

According to Diana Spencer, there are often simpler and less costly solutions available, with grants offered by the Bat Conservation Trust to support churches in managing their bat populations.

Spencer suggests that churches can take straightforward steps to mitigate the impact of bats, such as using sheets or covers to protect vulnerable areas, or applying wax coatings to prevent damage from urine.

She advises anyone who discovers bats in a building to contact the National Bat Helpline for guidance and support.

It appears that increasing numbers of bats are seeking refuge in churches, driven by the loss of natural habitats and the destruction of old buildings.

Exterior of Guestwick Church in Norfolk taken on a clear winter's day. The view is of the side of the church - it's walls are made from grey flint stone, and it has arched stained glass windows and a tower. In the foreground there are some gravestones on a green lawn. — As bats lose their habitats, churches are becoming a refuge for the animals

Spencer notes that the decline of woodland habitats, combined with the trend towards warmer, more airtight homes, has reduced the availability of suitable roosting sites for bats, making churches an increasingly important haven.

As a result, church communities are having to adapt to living alongside these nocturnal creatures, with some parishes even embracing the presence of bats as a unique opportunity for engagement and education.

Spencer observes that bat-themed events and activities are becoming increasingly popular, with churches hosting "bat nights" and other events that attract people from the local community who might not otherwise visit the church.

These events offer a chance for people to learn about and appreciate bats, fostering a sense of wonder and connection with these fascinating creatures.

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A close-up photo of Chloe Mitchell - a young woman with long, straight, fair hair - smiling at the camera. She is wearing black-framed sunglasses with blue lenses on her head, which are partially visible. — Chloe Mitchell's remains were found eight days after she went missing in 2023

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Following a recent court hearing to review trial arrangements, Nadine Mitchell, Chloe's sister, expressed her family's distress and frustration, telling BBC News NI that they are struggling to cope with the uncertainty.

Nadine Mitchell stated that her family has been left with no choice but to wait once again for a resolution, having already endured a prolonged period of anxiety and uncertainty.

The family's emotional turmoil is evident, with Nadine describing the experience as a prolonged period of distress, marked by sleepless nights and unbearable tension.

The Mitchell family is struggling to come to terms with their situation, which has left them feeling overwhelmed and distraught.

The current strike by defence barristers in Northern Ireland, which began last month, is a result of a long-standing dispute over legal aid fees, with barristers arguing that their fees have not kept pace with inflation.

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The Mitchell family has appealed for their case to be treated as an exception, allowing the trial to proceed as scheduled.

Chloe Mitchell, who was 21 at the time of her disappearance, was reported missing in early June 2023, prompting an extensive search operation.

Her remains were discovered about a week later, following a series of searches in the Ballymena area.

Brandon John Rainey was subsequently arrested and charged with Chloe's murder, which is alleged to have taken place between June 2 and June 5, 2023.

Rainey also faces a charge of attempting to prevent the lawful burial of a deceased body.

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A close-up of Brandon Rainey, a man with short, fair hair and stubble, looking at the camera. He is sitting in a vehicle on a dark, wet night. — Brandon Rainey is accused of the murder of Chloe Mitchell

Barristers argue that the fees have not kept pace with inflation, resulting in a significant decrease in their real-terms value over the past 20 years.

The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has warned that the low fees have created a crisis in the justice system, with many younger barristers refusing to take on legal aid cases due to the low rates of pay.

The CBA has described the strike as a "last resort" in their dispute with the Department of Justice, which has been ongoing for some time.

Despite an announced 16% increase in fees, which is set to take effect in mid-January, the strike has continued, with barristers arguing that the increase does not go far enough to address their concerns.

Chloe's father, George Mitchell, has previously appealed for an exception to be made in their case, allowing the trial to proceed despite the strike.

George Mitchell has argued that any delay to the trial would cause further trauma and distress for the families of victims.

He had invited Justice Minister Naomi Long to meet with him and his wife, Georgina, to discuss the matter further.

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The minister has reiterated that the decision to grant exceptions lies with the CBA, which must weigh the competing demands of their members and the needs of the justice system.