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Bats seek refuge in churches, causing damage and disruption

Research suggests that approximately 50 percent of churches in England are home to bat populations.

This task can only be accomplished under the cover of darkness, when the world is hushed and still.

Natterer's bat flying past a gravestone. It is a pitch black night, and the grey cross-shaped stone is well lit while the bat passes it. — About half of all churches in England have bats in them

As the sun dips below the horizon, a team of bat hunters makes its way through the gravestones of Guestwick Church in Norfolk, their footsteps quiet on the evening air.

The creaky door swings open, revealing a dimly lit, deserted church interior, where the team begins to set up their specialized equipment.

Infrared and thermal cameras are carefully positioned to capture the bats' movements, while audio detectors are tuned to frequencies that will pick up the sounds of the bats' high-pitched chatter.

Before long, the bats begin to emerge, flitting and swooping through the aisles as their amplified calls fill the historic building, creating an otherworldly atmosphere.

According to Diana Spencer of the Bats in Churches Project, many of these ancient churches have likely been home to bats for centuries, with some structures standing for over 1,000 years.

A recent study published in the British Ecological Society's journal People & Nature reveals that these historic buildings are providing crucial habitats for nocturnal animals like bats.

The research, which drew on citizen science surveys led by the Bat Conservation Trust, estimates that approximately half of England's churches – over 8,000 – are home to bat populations.

This figure rises to around 80% for older churches, highlighting the significant role these structures play in supporting bat populations.

Spencer notes that churches offer bats an ideal environment, with their complex architecture featuring numerous nooks and crannies for roosting, large open spaces for flight, and dry areas shielded from the elements.

This unique combination of features creates a "man-made forest" that is perfectly suited to the needs of bats, providing them with a safe and welcoming space to thrive.

Guestwick Church is home to two species of bats: Common Pipistrelles and Natterer's, which roost high up in the rafters, their tiny forms silhouetted against the darkness.

A woman looks into a screen in a church at night. the image is mainly dark, apart from a small screen that shows an image of the roof of church. It glows in the darkness, illuminating the woman's face who is staring intently at it. — Special cameras are needed to spot the nocturnal animals

Natterer's bat flying under the roof of a church. the roof beams are old and worn, and the brickwork is distressed. The bat is mid-flight. It's wings are black and its body is pale grey. — Churches have plenty of spots where the Natterer's bat likes to roost

The Pipistrelles are the first to emerge, flying around the church for a few minutes before squeezing through narrow gaps around the door to venture out into the night.

The Natterer's bats follow shortly, preferring to exit through small holes in the roof as they take to the skies in search of food.

Without the aid of specialized cameras, the bats would be almost impossible to spot, lost in the darkness as they flit and flutter through the church.

The study found that around a third of the churches surveyed were unaware that they were hosting bat populations, highlighting the need for greater awareness and education.

In some cases, however, the presence of bats was all too apparent, with the animals leaving behind telltale signs of their occupancy, such as urine and droppings.

Graeme Peart, responsible for the upkeep of St Margaret's Church in Saxlingham, notes that the bats can be "lovely" but also "problematic," requiring careful management to mitigate the impact of their presence.

Peart has been dealing with the challenges posed by the bats for around 15 years, citing issues such as urine and droppings damage, as well as the destruction of brass fixtures.

One notable incident involved a carpet leading up to the altar, which became saturated with urine and droppings and had to be discarded, highlighting the need for effective solutions to manage the bats' presence.

As bats are legally protected in the UK, removal is not a viable option, and churches must instead work to find ways to coexist with these creatures.

Stained glass window inside Guestwick church. The sunshine beams through it, highlighting colourful stained glass images of nature, including a bat, fish, birds, and leaves from plants and trees. — Church users are finding ways to live alongside wildlife

St Margaret's Church has collaborated with the Bats in Churches team to develop a solution, constructing a sealed-off loft conversion above the vestry to provide an alternative roosting site for the bats.

Ecologist Phillip Parker climbs a ladder to show off the interior of the loft, which has been equipped with CCTV cameras to monitor the bats' behavior.

The idea behind the loft conversion is to encourage the bats to roost in this designated area, rather than in the main body of the church, reducing the impact of their presence on the church and its users.

The CCTV cameras have already yielded valuable insights into the bats' behavior, revealing patterns of activity that were previously unknown.

Parker notes that the bats' numbers can fluctuate significantly, with up to 100 individuals present in the loft at certain times, only to disappear for around 10 days before returning once more.

Without the CCTV cameras, these patterns would have gone unnoticed, highlighting the importance of monitoring and research in understanding and managing bat populations.

Initiatives like the loft conversion require significant investment, in terms of both time and money.

Inside a church, a brown ornate door is open and the vestry can be seen through it. Above it, another door is open to show the bat loft. It is dark inside, but the rafters of the roof can just be made out. The wall surrounding the open doors is pale grey stone, with an ornate carving on the right hand side. — The bat loft at St Margaret's sits above the vestry

The construction of the loft and the ongoing monitoring of the bats has come at a cost of around £50,000, which was funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund and other partners.

According to Diana Spencer, there are often simpler and less costly solutions available, with grants offered by the Bat Conservation Trust to support churches in managing their bat populations.

Spencer suggests that churches can take straightforward steps to mitigate the impact of bats, such as using sheets or covers to protect vulnerable areas, or applying wax coatings to prevent damage from urine.

She advises anyone who discovers bats in a building to contact the National Bat Helpline for guidance and support.

It appears that increasing numbers of bats are seeking refuge in churches, driven by the loss of natural habitats and the destruction of old buildings.

Exterior of Guestwick Church in Norfolk taken on a clear winter's day. The view is of the side of the church - it's walls are made from grey flint stone, and it has arched stained glass windows and a tower. In the foreground there are some gravestones on a green lawn. — As bats lose their habitats, churches are becoming a refuge for the animals

Spencer notes that the decline of woodland habitats, combined with the trend towards warmer, more airtight homes, has reduced the availability of suitable roosting sites for bats, making churches an increasingly important haven.

As a result, church communities are having to adapt to living alongside these nocturnal creatures, with some parishes even embracing the presence of bats as a unique opportunity for engagement and education.

Spencer observes that bat-themed events and activities are becoming increasingly popular, with churches hosting "bat nights" and other events that attract people from the local community who might not otherwise visit the church.

These events offer a chance for people to learn about and appreciate bats, fostering a sense of wonder and connection with these fascinating creatures.

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Keanu Reeves’ John Wick Video Game Revealed at PlayStation Event

The iconic hitman has made previous appearances in games, however, the version developed by Saber will mark the first instance where the character is voiced by Reeves.

A video game adaptation of the John Wick franchise, which has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, is in development, with Keanu Reeves set to lend his likeness and voice to the project.

An in game screenshot of a video game version of Keanu Reeves as the character John Wick. He is wearing a suit and looking at the camera.

The game, currently titled "Untitled John Wick Game", is being developed by Saber Interactive, the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, in collaboration with Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick film series.

A trailer for the game, expected to serve as a prequel to the film series, was unveiled during PlayStation's "State of Play" event on Thursday.

The event also featured announcements for remakes of several major game franchises, including the God of War trilogy, as well as a special 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman.

The John Wick film series, which has earned over $1 billion globally, follows the story of a retired assassin, played by Keanu Reeves, as he seeks vengeance in a world of high-stakes action.

Although the character of John Wick has appeared in games before, this will be the first time Keanu Reeves has provided his voice for the role.

Reeves has previous experience in the gaming industry, having played a key role in the hit game Cyberpunk 2077 as the character Johnny Silverhand.

According to Matthew Karch, CEO of Saber Interactive, the development team is "honored" to be working with Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves to bring the John Wick universe to life in a AAA game.

The game's story will be an original narrative designed for mature audiences, featuring a mix of familiar characters from the film series and new ones.

Jenefer Brown, president of global products at Lionsgate, the producer of the John Wick films, expressed the company's goal of capturing the "intense action" and "distinctive fight choreography" that define the franchise.

The reaction to the game's announcement has been largely positive among fans on social media.

However, some fans have expressed concerns about the potential impact on Saber Interactive's other projects, including the long-awaited remake of the classic Star Wars game Knights of the Old Republic.

Christopher Dring, editor-in-chief of The Game Business, believes that the John Wick game is a strong fit for Saber Interactive, given the studio's experience with action-oriented IPs and its ability to release multiple games across various genres.

Dring notes that Saber Interactive operates as a collective of studios working on multiple IPs, allowing it to release a diverse range of games annually.

During the same event, Sony announced that Santa Monica Studios is working on remakes of the first three God of War games, building on one of the platform's most successful franchises.

An in-game screenshot of Silent Hill Townfall. We see the back of a man who is looking at a sign that says "Welcome to St. Amelia". — Konami's trailer for Silent Hill Townfall revealed it is set in St Amelia, a "fictional island inspired by Scotland"

Although a release date for the God of War remakes was not provided, Sony did announce a surprise side-scrolling prequel game, Sons of Sparta, which is available now.

The event also offered a first look at Townfall, the latest installment in the Silent Hill series, set on the fictional island of St. Amelia, which draws inspiration from Scotland.

A 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman was also announced, featuring five versions of the 1995 game, along with a near-immediate release.

Loic Gounon, brand producer for the Rayman games, discussed the anniversary edition with the BBC, highlighting the inclusion of a new documentary that explores the making of the original game, as well as accessibility features designed to enhance the experience for modern players.

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Tottenham set to appoint temporary boss ahead of permanent summer hire

Tottenham expect to appoint an interim manager to oversee the team for the rest of the season by this weekend, with plans to make a permanent appointment in the summer.

The task of finding a successor to Thomas Frank has fallen to Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham, who are overseeing the selection process.

Tottenham Hotspur intends to appoint an interim manager to see out the current season, with a view to making a more permanent appointment during the summer months.

The dismissal of Thomas Frank occurred earlier this week, at a time when the team was five points clear of the relegation zone.

According to sources close to BBC Sport, Tottenham Hotspur is expected to finalize an agreement with an interim manager before the team resumes training on Monday.

Following their early exit from the FA Cup in the third round, Tottenham has a nine-day break before facing Arsenal in the north London derby on February 22.

With no match scheduled for this weekend, the first-team squad has been given a brief break and is set to return to training on Monday.

The club is aware that the mid-season transfer window presents limited options, and it may be more feasible to secure a long-term manager at the end of the campaign.

An in-depth examination of Thomas Frank's tenure reveals the challenges he faced in winning over players and fans.

A closer look at Frank's time at Tottenham highlights the risks involved in his appointment and the ultimate failure of his tenure.

Although the search for an interim manager is still ongoing, the successful candidate will be considered for the permanent position if they perform well in the role.

Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is a potential candidate to take the reins on a permanent basis, particularly since his contract with the US men's national team is set to expire after the World Cup this summer.

Another candidate being considered is Roberto De Zerbi, who recently parted ways with French club Marseille by mutual consent.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Tottenham, please refer to our dedicated section.

If you have any questions about Tottenham, feel free to ask and we will do our best to provide you with the information you are looking for.

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Aberdeen to unveil new manager soon with Docherty set to take assistant role

Aberdeen has bolstered its interim management team with the return of Tony Docherty, who previously served as an assistant manager, to support Peter Leven, amid anticipation of a permanent appointment announcement that sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel had indicated would be made “imminently”.

Ross County parted ways with Tony Docherty in December, and he has now taken on a new role.

Aberdeen have brought in former assistant manager Tony Docherty to support Peter Leven's interim management team, despite sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel indicating that a permanent appointment was imminent.

Docherty's return to Aberdeen comes just a week after Eirik Horneland, a former coach of Rosenborg, Brann, and Saint-Etienne, emerged as a top contender to succeed Jimmy Thelin, who was sacked earlier.

As Aberdeen delays making a full-time appointment, speculation surrounding Eirik Horneland's availability has arisen, with reports suggesting the 50-year-old Norwegian may not be able to take on the role until summer.

Since Jimmy Thelin's dismissal on January 4, Lutz Pfannenstiel has been leading the search for a replacement, and he confirmed that Tony Docherty would be joining the team to assist Peter Leven during the interim period.

Dundee Utd are facing a challenging schedule, with four matches in 14 days set to take place on a weather-affected pitch.

According to Stavrum, Eirik Horneland's coaching style, characterized by intensity, would be a good fit for Aberdeen.

Tony Docherty initially joined Aberdeen in 2013 as part of Derek McInnes' management team and spent eight years at the club.

Before his stint at Aberdeen, Docherty served as McInnes' assistant at Kilmarnock and later managed Dundee and Ross County, but his time at Ross County ended in December when he was let go with the team at the bottom of the Championship.

Lutz Pfannenstiel praised Tony Docherty's experience, stating that he has a deep understanding of the club and will be a valuable asset during the transition period.

Pfannenstiel highlighted Docherty's extensive knowledge of the Scottish Premiership, gained through his experience as both a coach and manager, which will be beneficial to the team in the short term.

The club's managerial search is nearing its conclusion, and an announcement regarding the new head coach is expected soon, according to Pfannenstiel.

Peter Leven, who is serving as caretaker manager for the third time, expressed his enthusiasm for Tony Docherty's appointment.

Leven welcomed Docherty's return, stating that his experience will be a significant boost to the team, particularly during the upcoming matches.

Leven noted that Docherty was eager to join the team and that his presence will provide valuable support during both training sessions and matches.

Eirik Horneland left his position at Saint-Etienne in early February, at which point his team was fourth in France's second tier.

If Aberdeen decides to wait until summer for Horneland to take over, it will be similar to the six-month delay that occurred when Jimmy Thelin joined the club from Elfsborg in the summer of 2024.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Aberdeen, visit our dedicated page.