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Bats in Churches project gets off the ground
Loss of habitat has forced some bat species to take refuge in buildings such as historic churches.
Funding boost to protect bats and historic churches 

A groundbreaking project to help churches that host large bat roosts has received £3.8 million funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Led by Natural England, the Bats in Churches project will deliver a five-year partnership between wildlife, heritage conservation and church organisations to help save bats and protect churches.

Bat species in the UK have suffered significant historical declines and loss of habitat has forced some species to take refuge in buildings such as historic churches.

While many church communities live harmoniously with bat roosts, in some cases bats are causing irreparable damage to historically significant monuments and memorials, as well as impacting on people who use the buildings.

The Bats in Churches project will:
  • find practical solutions to enable 102 of the most severely impacted church communities to reduce the impact of bats on the church, without harming them
  • create a new network of fully trained volunteers who can undertake bat surveys and support congregations who have bat roosts at their church
  • train professional ecologists and historic building specialists in new techniques and build knowledge to improve their advice to congregations
  • collect and collate up-to-date data from over 700 churches across England, helping to build a specialist knowledge base of bats and their use of churches
  • strengthen local communities so people value and engage with their local natural and historic built heritage.


Natural England chairman, Andrew Sells, said: “The funding announced today will give great impetus to the partnership of heritage, wildlife and church organisations which aims to resolve conflicts.

"Together these groups are demonstrating astonishing passion and drive in working together to save these wonderful animals and protect cherished churches across the country.”

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.