WYCHWOOD BIODIVERSITY LIMITED

In September we completed the seeding of an 18Ha solar farm in the north of England. Working with partners Mossy Rock Ltd we cultivated and seeded the entire site with a fine grass mix. This includes beneath the panels using Mossy Rock’s nifty quad track. High panels and wide-spaced rows make for suitable conditions for wild flower rich grassland across this site. The BNG target habitat for this site is ‘other neutral grassland, moderate condition’ across the open areas and between the panel rows. We’re taking a phased approach, sowing fine grasses first, and then introducing wild flowers in years 2-3. This gives us time to do targeted weed control and determine the effects of flooding on the lower part of the site.

Great to finally see some butterflies! These are on Creacombe solar farm in South Devon, where we created this wild flower meadow using green hay from a local source. There are lots of common species flitting about today including meadow browns, small and large whites, small skippers, tortoiseshells and gatekeepers. Thanks to Yealm Community Energy (site owners) and Eden Renewables (site developers) for supporting these habitats. 

Hot on the heels of the Labour announcement for onshore wind, we are delighted to be working with Octopus Energy Generation on ecology studies for new onshore wind turbines. We'll be looking at innovative ways to avoid impacts to birds and bats while ensuring significant habitat gains. As well as being the cheapest form of energy production, well-designed onshore wind projects can generate substantial benefits to biodiversity.

As the breeding bird survey season draws to a close, we wanted to share some of the close encounters we’ve had with birds on solar farms this Spring, and to look at some of the habitats they use. Thanks to Conor Mackenzie for his spectacular photos. The barn owl is a surprisingly common visitor to solar farms. Barn owls like to hunt in grassland that has been left to grow tussocky. The field margins of solar farms are often managed as tussock grassland, providing suitable habitat for small mammals such as field voles. These are a barn owl's favourite meal. To encourage suitable conditions, tussock grassland should only be cut every 2-3 years, and no lower than 15cm to avoid damage to the leaf litter (this is vital for small mammals such as field voles). A portion of the tussocky grassland should be left uncut each year to ensure some habitat is retained undisturbed for small mammals, hunting barn owls and hibernating invertebrates too. Yellowhammers are red listed, yet we frequently see them within solar farms, perched on the panels or feeding within the grassland. They typically breed in mature hedgerows and scrub Most solar farms are bounded by hedgerows and many have a network of internal hedges too. To encourage yellowhammers and other farmland birds to breed, hedgerows should be grow to at least 3m high, cut only in late winter, with around one half of hedgerows remaining uncut at any time. Vegetation at the base of hedgerows should be managed as tussock grassland. Skylarks are also red listed, but we often observe them within solar farms, using solar panels as singing perches or staging posts for flight displays. While solar farms are unlikely to provide breeding habitat (skylarks need wide open spaces), they appear to serve as important feeding areas for birds breeding in the wider landscape. Skylarks like to forage within species-rich grassland where there are plenty of insects to eat - adult birds will lead their recently fledged young into these areas to feed them. Creating small areas of wild flower meadows within solar farms is a great way to encourage foraging skylarks, as well as a whole range of farmland birds too.