Bats are England’s only flying mammals and at risk of extinction due to modern farming methods and loss of habitat. There are 18 species of bat including Daubenton’s bat (our own ‘river bat’ that fishes for insects with his large feet or tail). Bat Conservation Trust has lots of information on how to help bats (including how to safely build or site a bat house, become a volunteer and find emergency help). It’s illegal to disturb bats, so always contact them for any concerns. It has a phone helpline.Don’t attract bats to your garden if you live with cats (natural predators). If planting night-scented flowers, make your garden safe for pets to avoid avoid toxic plants, mulch and other items.
Bats living here are pretty safe (the only people at risk of bites would be bat conservation volunteers who know the risks and wear gloves). Bats in England don’t suck your blood nor land in your hair or give you rabies. They’re actually fascinating animals who move around using echolocation and sleep upside down, simply because it means they can easily fly away to safety, if need be.
Many bats like to roost in churches, so contact Bats in Churches for help, if they’ve landed in your parish! If you have bats in your church, there is almost zero risk to your congregation that anyone will catch diseases, and the organisation works with church architects, bat ecologists and heritage professionals to create bespoke solutions to do any work, without harming bat populations. You can also download specialist church cleaning advice to remove bat droppings and urine, without harm to bats.
Other risks to bats include pylons and roads, wind turbines (some fly into them using echolocation, although modern turbines appear to be better – some say painting one sail and the wind turbine itself helps for birds, but not that sure for bats, as they don’t see well).
Light pollution is another no-no, as bats are nocturnal and artificial light delays them from foraging for food, which in turn affects breeding and conservation. All wildlife ecologists recommend solar powered streetlamps (with orange rather than blue lights) that turn off automatically when not in use.
Fiona the Fruit Bat is sweet book for children about bat echolocation, by a scientist who works with bats in daily life. It offers fascinating science on fruit bats. How will Fiona fly for the first time, when she can’t see in the dark? Also a comforting message for children who are afraid of the dark. Dan Riskin is a bat biologist and science journalist, who writes books and leads wildlife tours, and also loves speaking on the importance of protecting bats.
