This may have been covered previously, so apologies if it's a repeat. I've been contacted by quite a few people recently who are installing/in the early stages of installing nestboxes in church towers. I thought it would be worth pointing out some of the relevant things to consider, beyond swifts, specifically relating to bats.
- Pre-survey, it's probably best to assume that bats are using the tower, then work from that basis. Familiarisation with droppings and bat behaviour would be useful if you're entering church towers. The Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) website is a great place for bat resources. I spend the first part of my surveys assessing for current use of the tower by all species, but especially bats.
- If you find bats or droppings, you must cease work and seek advice before continuing. There are lots of local bat groups across the UK with VBRV (volunteer bat roost visitor) status, who might be willing to accompany you on your initial surveys.
- Work on churches can be eligible for free advice from the SNCO’s (such as Natural England), but some conditions apply. The BCT offer a free advice service to support such work, (see here Advice for Swift Nest boxes in churches).
- Any apertures greater than 15mm x 22mm should be considered an access point for certain species of bat. Any blockage or adaptation to an access/egress point for bats is considered an offence under WCA 1981 and the Habitat and Species Regulations 2017 and you may need a European Protected Species Licence from the relevant SNCO. It's illegal to block access or damage or destroy a bat roost, making it prosecutable by law even if individuals had no knowledge of the roost.
