Читать книгу Your Wildlife Garden - Jackie Bennett - Страница 21

A bat box works on the same principle as a bird box except that instead of a hole at the front for access, there is a small gap underneath which needs to be wide enough for the bats to enter, but small enough to keep out predators such as cats.

Use a rough sawn plank of untreated softwood, approximately 2.5cm (1in) thick and at least 20cm (8in) wide and 120cm (4ft) long. If the wood is too smooth, you will need to roughen it with saw cuts to enable the bats to cling properly.

Mark up the plank of wood as shown in the diagram and cut out the pieces for the sides, back, roof and front.

Cut off the acute angled ends of both of the triangular ‘sides’ as shown to make the entrance slot.

Drill a hole at the top and bottom of the back plate to take the nails or screws needed to fix the bat box to a tree or building. Cut a groove at the top edge of the back board for the roof to slot into.

Assemble the box by nailing the front, sides and back together, before adding the roof.