The front cover of The Little Church Bat, showing an illustration of a bat flying over a church

Meet The Little Church Bat!

Bats in Churches has published its first ever children’s book based on the true story of one of our project churches. Meet Mo, The Little Church Bat!

Bats in Churches engagement officer Rose at the Braunston May Fayre

The Little Church Bat raises nearly £250 for Bats in Churches pilot project

The new children’s book published by Bats in Churches was a highlight at the Braunston-in-Rutland May Fayre, a traditional village fete and celebration of the church of All Saints.

A young woman using a mobile phone to take a photo of the inside of a church

Could you survey your local church for bats?

Bats in Churches is appealing for volunteers to come forward and help with the final year of the National Bats in Churches Survey and Church Bat Detectives! Here’s what we’ve learned so far in this ambitious citizen science project, and how to get involved.

A long eared bat looking at the camera, being held by a hand in a white cotton glove

Can bats harm the health of the congregation?

One of the main reasons bats get a bad name is due to the belief they carry and spread diseases and sometimes church communities worry about the health impact of their resident bats. Lisa Worledge, Head of Conservation Services at Bat Conservation Trust, busts a few myths about rabies, issues with droppings and urine, and Covid-19.

A bat flying under an ancient beam inside a church tower

‘We’re on a continual curve of understanding’ Life as a bat ecologist

Sleeping on tombs, batty surprises and the evolution of buildings – welcome to the world of ecologist Emily Dickins, of Bernwood Ecology. We caught up with her to find out a bit more about life as a registered consultant for Bats in Churches.

Interior of a church looking into chancel

Largest Bats in Churches capital works project kicks off in West Sussex

This 11th Century, Grade I listed church in West Sussex has lived with its resident colony of Natterer’s bats for several decades. Now a £100k Bats in Churches funded project has kicked off to enable the congregation and bats to live together without disturbing one another.