Of particular concern to the nature protection agency is the lack of summer quarters for bats. Summer is the time when bats give birth to and raise their young (one baby a year), and safe quarters where babies can be left while mother goes out hunting are essential.

However, modern building and renovation standards mean that church attics are no longer accessible. Even in older buildings, access has usually been closed off to prevent pigeons from nesting. Now the government agency, together with information centre Natuurpunt, is asking for churches to come forward to have their attics made more accessible to bats.

Ninove in East Flanders has so far set the best example. Three churches have had most openings in their roofs closed up to keep pigeons out but have opened up six-centimetre holes higher in the roof to allow bats to enter. The changes are too recent to demonstrate if they are attracting bats, but the agency is hopeful.

Neighbours of the churches in Ninove have, however, noticed a reduction in the nuisance caused by pigeons, and they should soon reap one of the benefits of the presence of bats: the creatures typically consume thousands of flies and mosquitoes every night.

www.bataction.be