Bats and Churches
For centuries, bats have found sanctuary in our churches, using the many nooks and crannies as a safe place to roost. As bats' natural habitat becomes scarce, churches are playing an even more vital role in the survival of these endangered mammals. Some of our older churces have been providing valuable roosting sites for generations of bats that return faithfully to the same roost year after year.
For most churches, having bats is a positive experience. Some hold bat walks for the congregation, and other count their bats for BCT's National Bat Monitoring Programme.
Advice for Churches
Usually the numbers of bats in churches are small and they may even go unnoticed. Occasionally a church may attract a larger colony but often these are within the roof structure of the building and can still go unnoticed. Sometimes the roost is within the internal structure, and so droppings and urine - though generally limited to an area under the roost - can be deemed a problem.
Bats and their roosts are all protected by law so there is a legal obligation not to disturb bats or damage their roosts. If your church is finding bats to be a problem, please be assured that with a bit of creative thinking it is usually possible to provide a safe haven for the bats, while minimising any damage and disturbance to the church or congregation.
If you need information or advice on bats:
- Seek advice from our Bat Helpline - the Helpline can give general information and advice about bats and arrange a roost visit, on behalf of Natural England.
- Natural England has produced a document Bats in Churches: a Management Guide that identifies ways to overcome any difficulties associated with the droppings and urine of bats within churches, including effects these may have on historically significant items. It also contains advice on maintenance, repairs and alterations where bats or their roost may be affected.
Lighting
It is important to be aware that bats can be disturbed when churches that contain a bat roost are floodlit. For information on how lighting can affect bats, download Bats and Lighting in the UK
Related downloads
A basic introduction to the legal protection of bats in the British Isles. Please note: This leaflet is in the process of being updated to reflect the 2007 amendments to the legislation.
Guidance produced by Natural England to help those who look after church buildings that are used by bats.
A leaflet for churches with bats, produced in conjunction with "The Living Churchyard."
Guidance produced by Natural England to help those who look after church buildings that are used by bats.