Creating Wildlife Corridors

At Lokkelebery we are trying to create wildlife and pollinator corridors across the vineyard and farm. We have been thrilled to see our clover, grasses and various wildflowers including oxeye daisies, cornflowers and poppies spring up as part of this effort.

Across the farm, some of these areas form part of our Countryside Stewardship commitment, where we are truing to encourage habitats for wild birds, insects and mammals which can prosper side-by-side with the farm and food production. Some of our other work on this project includes extensive hedge planting which will take place in the winter, and growing strips of wildflowers and wild bird cover in areas heavily populated by wildlife, thereby offering them shelter, food and a habitat to thrive in.

In the vineyard, we have created our own commitment, and have planted a rich clover mix in every other row, and grasses in the remaining ones. Not only does this have positive implications for insects and other wildlife, but it also adds soil fertility. The roots of the grasses help build soil structure, while the cut clover (when they are trimmed), adds nitrogen to the soil, thereby replacing some of that which is used by the vines. The grasses also prevent the soil run-off; were it to remain un-sewn the soil would be able to slide away down the hill in a heavy rain. Finally, the grasses and clovers protect the soil from tractor works, creating a buffer to protect soil structure.