Bat survey to be carried out (From Gazette & Herald)

Bat survey to be carried out

A BAT survey is to be carried out by volunteers at a North Yorkshire church in a bid to resolve long-standing concerns of members of the congregation.

Aided by members of the North Yorkshire Bat Group, English Nature will conduct a study next month of bats in St Hilda's Church, Ellerburn, near Thornton-le-Dale.

Parishioners have become concerned about the bats, mostly because they leave droppings and urine stains, which they say are ruining the interior of the building.

"Ellerburn church is one of Yorkshire's most significant sites for bats," said John Drewett, chairman of North Yorkshire Bat Group. "The church has long been home to at least four of the county's eight species of bats, including one of the most important colonies of Natterer's bats."

English Nature has recognised that there is a problem at the church and has been working closely with parishioners to find a solution, he said.

To date, English Nature has offered to fund a cleaning contract and to pay for protective covers for some church furniture.

One parishioner blamed a bout of sickness on having contact with bat droppings at the church, but English Nature says there are no known health hazards associated with bat faeces in Britain.

"Bats are social animals, and usually return year after year to the same roosting place," said Mr Drewett. "Losing that roost place can have a serious impact on the population over a wide area and even local extinction. That is one reason why bats are specially protected."

The survey in May hopes to establish the species and numbers of bats using the church, the ways they use the building and their entry and access points.

Simon Christian, English Nature conservation officer, said: "St Hilda's is an historic church in a beautiful setting. English Nature is keen to find an acceptable solution for churchgoers while safeguarding the local population of bats."

Updated: 11:32 Wednesday, April 28, 2004