We think that the Environment Agency put this Bat Box on one of the farm buildings during the summer and we have to report that it works too, bats have taken up residence. We have seen them zooming and swooping up and down the dyke catching insects, although they must now be deep in a hibernation sleep.
The box provides a handy warm-up roosting point for our local Kestrels too, they fluff up and clean themselves in the mornings. The black panel is slate, apparently it helps keep the bats warm and acts like a bit of a storage heater.
In fact it's a barn conversion for bats and faced with Welsh slate too, what luxury!