It has often been asked, mainly in jest, “do you have bats in the belfry”. The first answer is no.

During a visit by Historic England, whilst reviewing the Cloisters and the work to be undertaken on the Tower and Chimney, they asked to inspect the basement. They found some droppings and removed them for analysis. The droppings were identified as those of the Natterer’s Bat. Natterer’s bat – UK Bats – Bat Conservation Trust

Bats are protected under UK legislation: the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulation 2010 and amendments and Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Historic England, who have been very generous in funding some of the restoration work, so far, asked us to carry out a full ecology survey. This required us to carry out a two-step survey. Initially to ascertain in the bats were hibernating in the basement and secondly if they used it as a roost through spring and summer.

The ecology survey was booked, the first stage was carried out. No further evidence was found of the Natterer’s bat other than a small amount of droppings. The Bat Conservation Trust informed us of a colony of Natterer’s in the Stevenage area.

Nothing more can be done until the Spring 2024!

Image details: Gilles San Martin – CC BY-SA 2.0