News
On A Wing And A Prayer: The Bats in Churches Art Installation
To celebrate the long-standing relationship between bats and churches, we’ve commissioned Bats in Churches volunteer and professional artist Ilene Sterns to create a unique installation entitled On A Wing And A Prayer. Here, Ilene explains her inspiration and motivation behind the work, and gives us a sneak peak of what she’s created so far….
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!
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.
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.
Come and work with us – Heritage Advisor vacancy
We’re currently looking for a new Heritage Advisor to help us provide heritage advice, guidance and support to our project churches. Does that sound like you?
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.
‘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.
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.
A world beyond our earshot: how we can identify bats in churches using sound
Volunteers for the National Bats in Churches survey use bat detectors to record sounds to help us ID bats in churches. But what happens next, and how can we tell which species is which? Welcome to the world beyond our earshot.
15 churches and counting! Bats in Churches volunteers Phil and Ilene on their batty summer
Volunteers Phil Atkin and Ilene Sterns have so far surveyed 15 churches for the National Bats in Churches survey. Here, Ilene shares some of their experiences and highlights, as well as her thoughts on what makes volunteering so rewarding.