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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.