Coal Tips as Sites for Nature

Bryn Tip, the site of the former Bryn Navigation Colliery near Neath and Port Talbot in South Wales has been selected as one of Wales's first Naturfa sites (photo courtesy of Neath Port Talbot Council).

Naturfa is Welsh for 'a place for nature', and Bryn Tip has been recognised as a haven for wildlife as well as a site contributing to the creation of 'nature corridors' which support the movement of species across Wales. The shrubs which have become established in this former industrial site are an ideal breeding habitat for birds such as stonechats and linnets, the grasslands support dark green fritillary butterflies and rare bee orchids and the mix of upland habitats supports a wide range of invertebrates and animals including brown hares and barn owls. You can enjoy a virtual tour of the site here.

Dark Green Fritillary Butterfly, (female) curtesy of Nigel Kiteley (Butterfly Conservation Website)

Liam Olds, from Glo i Nature (coal to nature), a newly formed community interest company, hopes that Bryn Tip will be one of the first of many coal spoil sites across Wales to receive Naturfa recognition. I recently heard Liam give a presentation in Swansea and his passion for, and knowledge of, all wildlife, and especially invertebrates in these post-industrial sites, really shone through. Liam and colleagues have undertaken extensive nature surveys of former mining sites and discovered in these 'mosaic habitats' rare and highly endangered species and even species never before recorded by science, such as the brown millipede, the Maerdy monster'.

Maerdy monster - photo courtesy of Liam Olds

On their website , Glo i natur comment 'By combining conservation with education, research and public engagement, we demonstrate how places once marked by industry can be transformed into areas of hope, learning, and renewal'. For example, at Cwm Tips, near Beddau, Glo i Natur are supporting the flower-rich grasslands needed by over 600 species of invertebrates, including more than 50 species of bees, rare millipedes, orchids, and threatened butterflies. Among the most special is the Small Blue butterfly one of the few inland populations in the region who need kidney vetch, which flowers here, to survive.

Small Blue Butterfly courtesy of Glo i Natur

Glo i Natur emphasise that their aim is to 'honour the heritage of the valleys while building a future where nature and people thrive together.' When I met Liam I was particularly struck by his comment that these sites, created by our forefathers and associated with landscape destruction, are now, at these times of biodiversity and habitat loss,  providing a positive lasting legacy and home for nature.

I am really looking forward to visiting these special places and being with all these plants and creatures.