A PROJECT seeking information about how and why bats are using churches is seeking volunteers in Shropshire to help its study.

The Bats in Churches project wants volunteers to come forward and help with the final year of the National Bats in Churches Survey, an ambitious citizen science.

It’s thought at least 60 per cent of pre-16th Century churches in England house bat roosts, but the true figure could be much higher. Bats in Churches, a partnership between heritage and conservation organisations is now calling for intrepid volunteers to search for serotines, peek for pipistrelles, hunt for greater horseshoes and nosy for noctules this summer.

The Bats in Churches survey began in 2019 and this will be its year. Last year it found bats in just over half of the 219 churches surveyed and recorded a total of nine bat species, including some new to the study.

Claire Boothby, training and surveys officer at Bats in Churches, said: "If you have an interest in churches, bats or both I'd encourage you to get involved. The surveys are something that everyone can do, even if you are new to the world of bat surveys.

"The records will be key in telling us more about bats’ use of churches, including answering questions such as how many churches in England house bat roosts and which factors affect the likelihood of bats using these cherished buildings. The findings will go towards guidance documents to help churches and conserve both the buildings and the bats."

Bats in Churches also works with more than 100 of the worst-affected churches in England.

No experience is needed to survey a church, you’ll find all the help and information you need on the project website along with training videos and FAQs.