Colliery Spoil Biodiversity Initiative
@collieryspoil.bsky.social
Nature conservation initiative aiming to raise awareness of the #biodiversity value of #collieryspoil sites (coal tips & former collieries) in South #Wales Valleys and beyond. Posts by @liamolds.bsky.social.
🌿 A new chapter begins.
After 10 years of raising awareness of coal spoil biodiversity, the Colliery Spoil Biodiversity Initiative is evolving into Glo i Natur CIC - continuing the same mission with new opportunities ahead.
➡️ Follow @gloinatur.bsky.social - this account will shortly be replaced 💚
After 10 years of raising awareness of coal spoil biodiversity, the Colliery Spoil Biodiversity Initiative is evolving into Glo i Natur CIC - continuing the same mission with new opportunities ahead.
➡️ Follow @gloinatur.bsky.social - this account will shortly be replaced 💚
November 7, 2025 at 1:02 PM
🌿 A new chapter begins.
After 10 years of raising awareness of coal spoil biodiversity, the Colliery Spoil Biodiversity Initiative is evolving into Glo i Natur CIC - continuing the same mission with new opportunities ahead.
➡️ Follow @gloinatur.bsky.social - this account will shortly be replaced 💚
After 10 years of raising awareness of coal spoil biodiversity, the Colliery Spoil Biodiversity Initiative is evolving into Glo i Natur CIC - continuing the same mission with new opportunities ahead.
➡️ Follow @gloinatur.bsky.social - this account will shortly be replaced 💚
Thanks to your support, we’ve helped shine a light on these misunderstood places and put colliery spoil biodiversity on the map.
💚 As we celebrate this milestone, we’re also looking ahead. A new chapter begins this Friday… and we can’t wait to share it with you!
Watch this space 👀
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💚 As we celebrate this milestone, we’re also looking ahead. A new chapter begins this Friday… and we can’t wait to share it with you!
Watch this space 👀
3/3
November 3, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Thanks to your support, we’ve helped shine a light on these misunderstood places and put colliery spoil biodiversity on the map.
💚 As we celebrate this milestone, we’re also looking ahead. A new chapter begins this Friday… and we can’t wait to share it with you!
Watch this space 👀
3/3
💚 As we celebrate this milestone, we’re also looking ahead. A new chapter begins this Friday… and we can’t wait to share it with you!
Watch this space 👀
3/3
Over the past decade, these incredible landscapes have featured on BBC and ITV programmes, in books, articles, conservation plans, and nature conservation policy - and our surveys have even revealed species new to Wales and Britain.
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November 3, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Over the past decade, these incredible landscapes have featured on BBC and ITV programmes, in books, articles, conservation plans, and nature conservation policy - and our surveys have even revealed species new to Wales and Britain.
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🎉 Celebrating 10 Years of the Colliery Spoil Biodiversity Initiative 🎉
This December marks 10 years since the Colliery Spoil Biodiversity Initiative began its mission to change how people see South Wales’ colliery spoil sites — from barren relics of industry to thriving havens for wildlife.
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This December marks 10 years since the Colliery Spoil Biodiversity Initiative began its mission to change how people see South Wales’ colliery spoil sites — from barren relics of industry to thriving havens for wildlife.
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November 3, 2025 at 6:07 PM
🎉 Celebrating 10 Years of the Colliery Spoil Biodiversity Initiative 🎉
This December marks 10 years since the Colliery Spoil Biodiversity Initiative began its mission to change how people see South Wales’ colliery spoil sites — from barren relics of industry to thriving havens for wildlife.
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This December marks 10 years since the Colliery Spoil Biodiversity Initiative began its mission to change how people see South Wales’ colliery spoil sites — from barren relics of industry to thriving havens for wildlife.
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👻 Meet the Ghost Slug this #Halloween! 🐌
The Ghost Slug (Selenochlamys ysbryda) is a mysterious predator that hunts earthworms deep underground. Its scientific name comes from the Welsh word ysbryd, meaning ghost or spirit - a fitting title for a rather elusive creature!
#GhostSlug #SpookySpecies
The Ghost Slug (Selenochlamys ysbryda) is a mysterious predator that hunts earthworms deep underground. Its scientific name comes from the Welsh word ysbryd, meaning ghost or spirit - a fitting title for a rather elusive creature!
#GhostSlug #SpookySpecies
October 31, 2025 at 1:46 PM
👻 Meet the Ghost Slug this #Halloween! 🐌
The Ghost Slug (Selenochlamys ysbryda) is a mysterious predator that hunts earthworms deep underground. Its scientific name comes from the Welsh word ysbryd, meaning ghost or spirit - a fitting title for a rather elusive creature!
#GhostSlug #SpookySpecies
The Ghost Slug (Selenochlamys ysbryda) is a mysterious predator that hunts earthworms deep underground. Its scientific name comes from the Welsh word ysbryd, meaning ghost or spirit - a fitting title for a rather elusive creature!
#GhostSlug #SpookySpecies
Exploring a coal spoil site near Aberdare today, we found the flat-backed millipede Polydesmus barberii.
This non-native species, first seen in Britain in 1995, has only recently been discovered in Wales. Today's find is just the fourth known site in Wales — and the third in the Cynon Valley!
This non-native species, first seen in Britain in 1995, has only recently been discovered in Wales. Today's find is just the fourth known site in Wales — and the third in the Cynon Valley!
September 26, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Exploring a coal spoil site near Aberdare today, we found the flat-backed millipede Polydesmus barberii.
This non-native species, first seen in Britain in 1995, has only recently been discovered in Wales. Today's find is just the fourth known site in Wales — and the third in the Cynon Valley!
This non-native species, first seen in Britain in 1995, has only recently been discovered in Wales. Today's find is just the fourth known site in Wales — and the third in the Cynon Valley!
🐞🌿 Join us for Blaenavon Biodiversity Day on Sat 20 Sept!
Guided walks with local experts on insects, fungi, birds + more.
Don’t miss @liamolds.bsky.social from @collieryspoil.bsky.social leading an insect/invertebrate walk!
📍 Blaenavon | 🗓️ 20 Sept
Guided walks with local experts on insects, fungi, birds + more.
Don’t miss @liamolds.bsky.social from @collieryspoil.bsky.social leading an insect/invertebrate walk!
📍 Blaenavon | 🗓️ 20 Sept
September 1, 2025 at 4:18 PM
🐞🌿 Join us for Blaenavon Biodiversity Day on Sat 20 Sept!
Guided walks with local experts on insects, fungi, birds + more.
Don’t miss @liamolds.bsky.social from @collieryspoil.bsky.social leading an insect/invertebrate walk!
📍 Blaenavon | 🗓️ 20 Sept
Guided walks with local experts on insects, fungi, birds + more.
Don’t miss @liamolds.bsky.social from @collieryspoil.bsky.social leading an insect/invertebrate walk!
📍 Blaenavon | 🗓️ 20 Sept
Hieroglyphic Ladybird (Coccinella hieroglyphica) from heathland at Sirhowy Hill Woodlands, Blaenau Gwent, this morning.
August 21, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Hieroglyphic Ladybird (Coccinella hieroglyphica) from heathland at Sirhowy Hill Woodlands, Blaenau Gwent, this morning.
Last night we visited Gelli Tips and were treated to a beautiful scene – the evening sunlight casting a golden glow over the tips, with the heather in full bloom. 💜🌿
We also captured some breathtaking drone footage that will feature in an upcoming video for Buglife’s Coal Spoil Connections project.
We also captured some breathtaking drone footage that will feature in an upcoming video for Buglife’s Coal Spoil Connections project.
August 16, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Last night we visited Gelli Tips and were treated to a beautiful scene – the evening sunlight casting a golden glow over the tips, with the heather in full bloom. 💜🌿
We also captured some breathtaking drone footage that will feature in an upcoming video for Buglife’s Coal Spoil Connections project.
We also captured some breathtaking drone footage that will feature in an upcoming video for Buglife’s Coal Spoil Connections project.
An Evening Of History and Wildlife at Silent Valley - Friday 8th August, 6:30pm start
Join Buglife's Coal Spoil Connections Team and @henebtwa.bsky.social for a guided walk through Silent Valley Nature Reserve.
For further info and booking, visit: www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...
Join Buglife's Coal Spoil Connections Team and @henebtwa.bsky.social for a guided walk through Silent Valley Nature Reserve.
For further info and booking, visit: www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...
August 8, 2025 at 7:23 AM
An Evening Of History and Wildlife at Silent Valley - Friday 8th August, 6:30pm start
Join Buglife's Coal Spoil Connections Team and @henebtwa.bsky.social for a guided walk through Silent Valley Nature Reserve.
For further info and booking, visit: www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...
Join Buglife's Coal Spoil Connections Team and @henebtwa.bsky.social for a guided walk through Silent Valley Nature Reserve.
For further info and booking, visit: www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...
A few spaces have become available on the 'Bee and butterfly guided walk' at #Mumbles 🦋🐝
Fri 1 August 10.00am – 12.00pm and 1.00pm – 3.00pm
Meeting point: outside Forte's, Mumbles Road, Mumbles, #Swansea SA3 4JT
What3words ///fields.sobered.sharpens
👉Booking required: www.trybooking.com/uk/EWZL
Fri 1 August 10.00am – 12.00pm and 1.00pm – 3.00pm
Meeting point: outside Forte's, Mumbles Road, Mumbles, #Swansea SA3 4JT
What3words ///fields.sobered.sharpens
👉Booking required: www.trybooking.com/uk/EWZL
July 30, 2025 at 6:00 AM
A few spaces have become available on the 'Bee and butterfly guided walk' at #Mumbles 🦋🐝
Fri 1 August 10.00am – 12.00pm and 1.00pm – 3.00pm
Meeting point: outside Forte's, Mumbles Road, Mumbles, #Swansea SA3 4JT
What3words ///fields.sobered.sharpens
👉Booking required: www.trybooking.com/uk/EWZL
Fri 1 August 10.00am – 12.00pm and 1.00pm – 3.00pm
Meeting point: outside Forte's, Mumbles Road, Mumbles, #Swansea SA3 4JT
What3words ///fields.sobered.sharpens
👉Booking required: www.trybooking.com/uk/EWZL
🟣 Berytinus crassipes & B. montivagus (stilt bugs)
🟣 Doratura stylata & Rhopalopyx adumbrata (leafhoppers)
Once again, colliery spoil is proving just how special it is — supporting species you won’t easily find elsewhere. There's real ecological value in these overlooked landscapes. 💚
🟣 Doratura stylata & Rhopalopyx adumbrata (leafhoppers)
Once again, colliery spoil is proving just how special it is — supporting species you won’t easily find elsewhere. There's real ecological value in these overlooked landscapes. 💚
July 28, 2025 at 6:36 PM
🟣 Berytinus crassipes & B. montivagus (stilt bugs)
🟣 Doratura stylata & Rhopalopyx adumbrata (leafhoppers)
Once again, colliery spoil is proving just how special it is — supporting species you won’t easily find elsewhere. There's real ecological value in these overlooked landscapes. 💚
🟣 Doratura stylata & Rhopalopyx adumbrata (leafhoppers)
Once again, colliery spoil is proving just how special it is — supporting species you won’t easily find elsewhere. There's real ecological value in these overlooked landscapes. 💚
Today's survey was a great success, turning up a number of uncommon invertebrates, including:
🟣 Feathered Stem-moth (Ochsenheimeria taurella)
🟣 Top-horned Hunchback (Acrocera orbiculus)
🟣 Adelphocoris seticornis (plant bug)
🟣 Feathered Stem-moth (Ochsenheimeria taurella)
🟣 Top-horned Hunchback (Acrocera orbiculus)
🟣 Adelphocoris seticornis (plant bug)
July 28, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Today's survey was a great success, turning up a number of uncommon invertebrates, including:
🟣 Feathered Stem-moth (Ochsenheimeria taurella)
🟣 Top-horned Hunchback (Acrocera orbiculus)
🟣 Adelphocoris seticornis (plant bug)
🟣 Feathered Stem-moth (Ochsenheimeria taurella)
🟣 Top-horned Hunchback (Acrocera orbiculus)
🟣 Adelphocoris seticornis (plant bug)
This year we've been working with the South Wales Trunk Road Agency to survey roadside verges for invertebrates around Merthyr Tydfil. Today we made our final visit to a very special verge in Dowlais. Comprising colliery spoil, it's proving to be a real hidden gem for biodiversity!
July 28, 2025 at 6:30 PM
This year we've been working with the South Wales Trunk Road Agency to survey roadside verges for invertebrates around Merthyr Tydfil. Today we made our final visit to a very special verge in Dowlais. Comprising colliery spoil, it's proving to be a real hidden gem for biodiversity!
Back to Sirhowy Hill Woodlands today to continue the invertebrate survey. The reserve looked lovely, and great to see the bee hotels in use — even spotted a Wood-carving Leafcutter Bee (Megachile ligniseca) basking on one!
Among today's nice finds was the leafhopper Rhopalopyx adumbrata.
Among today's nice finds was the leafhopper Rhopalopyx adumbrata.
July 24, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Back to Sirhowy Hill Woodlands today to continue the invertebrate survey. The reserve looked lovely, and great to see the bee hotels in use — even spotted a Wood-carving Leafcutter Bee (Megachile ligniseca) basking on one!
Among today's nice finds was the leafhopper Rhopalopyx adumbrata.
Among today's nice finds was the leafhopper Rhopalopyx adumbrata.
Today's guided walks at Parc Melin Mynach, Gorseinon, explored the former Mountain Colliery site.
Highlights included Marbled White, Six-belted Clearwing, Brown-banded Carder Bee, prowling spider Cheiracanthium virescens, and picture-winged fly Herina palustris.
Great turnout despite the heat! 🥵
Highlights included Marbled White, Six-belted Clearwing, Brown-banded Carder Bee, prowling spider Cheiracanthium virescens, and picture-winged fly Herina palustris.
Great turnout despite the heat! 🥵
July 11, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Today's guided walks at Parc Melin Mynach, Gorseinon, explored the former Mountain Colliery site.
Highlights included Marbled White, Six-belted Clearwing, Brown-banded Carder Bee, prowling spider Cheiracanthium virescens, and picture-winged fly Herina palustris.
Great turnout despite the heat! 🥵
Highlights included Marbled White, Six-belted Clearwing, Brown-banded Carder Bee, prowling spider Cheiracanthium virescens, and picture-winged fly Herina palustris.
Great turnout despite the heat! 🥵
🌟 Exciting Discovery Alert! 🌟
Back in January we teased some big news…and here it is!
🐌 Semilimax pyrenaicus (Pyrenean Semi-slug) has been recorded in Britain for the first time, found at a colliery spoil site in Cwmaman, S. Wales.
Read more: doi.org/10.61733/jco...
#SemiSlug #WildlifeDiscovery
Back in January we teased some big news…and here it is!
🐌 Semilimax pyrenaicus (Pyrenean Semi-slug) has been recorded in Britain for the first time, found at a colliery spoil site in Cwmaman, S. Wales.
Read more: doi.org/10.61733/jco...
#SemiSlug #WildlifeDiscovery
June 24, 2025 at 11:41 AM
🌟 Exciting Discovery Alert! 🌟
Back in January we teased some big news…and here it is!
🐌 Semilimax pyrenaicus (Pyrenean Semi-slug) has been recorded in Britain for the first time, found at a colliery spoil site in Cwmaman, S. Wales.
Read more: doi.org/10.61733/jco...
#SemiSlug #WildlifeDiscovery
Back in January we teased some big news…and here it is!
🐌 Semilimax pyrenaicus (Pyrenean Semi-slug) has been recorded in Britain for the first time, found at a colliery spoil site in Cwmaman, S. Wales.
Read more: doi.org/10.61733/jco...
#SemiSlug #WildlifeDiscovery
Last week, @olds_liam led a guided walk for staff & students from University of Bristol at Coity Tips, Blaenavon.
We explored the unique habitats and species of colliery spoil — which included sightings of iconic species such as Bilberry Bumblebee, Mottled Grasshopper, Fairy-flax & Bee Orchid.
We explored the unique habitats and species of colliery spoil — which included sightings of iconic species such as Bilberry Bumblebee, Mottled Grasshopper, Fairy-flax & Bee Orchid.
June 23, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Last week, @olds_liam led a guided walk for staff & students from University of Bristol at Coity Tips, Blaenavon.
We explored the unique habitats and species of colliery spoil — which included sightings of iconic species such as Bilberry Bumblebee, Mottled Grasshopper, Fairy-flax & Bee Orchid.
We explored the unique habitats and species of colliery spoil — which included sightings of iconic species such as Bilberry Bumblebee, Mottled Grasshopper, Fairy-flax & Bee Orchid.
Incredible tufa springs seen at the former Pentremawr Colliery, Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire, today - clearly decades of tufa deposits! Around the springs was Delicate Soldierfly (Oxycera nigricornis) and Giant Lacewing (Osmylus fulvicephalus), as well as caddisflies and craneflies.
June 19, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Incredible tufa springs seen at the former Pentremawr Colliery, Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire, today - clearly decades of tufa deposits! Around the springs was Delicate Soldierfly (Oxycera nigricornis) and Giant Lacewing (Osmylus fulvicephalus), as well as caddisflies and craneflies.
How lovely is this male White-jawed Yellow-face Bee (Hylaeua confusus) found at Ogmore Washeries, Bridgend, this week!?
This bee was one of two bees to be added to the former coal washery's ever-growing species list this week (the other bee was the Small-flecked Mining Bee, Andrena coitana).
This bee was one of two bees to be added to the former coal washery's ever-growing species list this week (the other bee was the Small-flecked Mining Bee, Andrena coitana).
June 15, 2025 at 7:53 AM
How lovely is this male White-jawed Yellow-face Bee (Hylaeua confusus) found at Ogmore Washeries, Bridgend, this week!?
This bee was one of two bees to be added to the former coal washery's ever-growing species list this week (the other bee was the Small-flecked Mining Bee, Andrena coitana).
This bee was one of two bees to be added to the former coal washery's ever-growing species list this week (the other bee was the Small-flecked Mining Bee, Andrena coitana).
Absolutely delighted to come across Bilberry Bumblebee (Bombus monticola) workers foraging on bird's-foot-trefoils at the former International Colliery, Blaengarw, this afternoon. We're so fortunate to have these beautiful bumblebees in the South Wales Valleys!
@bumblebeetrust.bsky.social
@bumblebeetrust.bsky.social
May 22, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Absolutely delighted to come across Bilberry Bumblebee (Bombus monticola) workers foraging on bird's-foot-trefoils at the former International Colliery, Blaengarw, this afternoon. We're so fortunate to have these beautiful bumblebees in the South Wales Valleys!
@bumblebeetrust.bsky.social
@bumblebeetrust.bsky.social
Three-spined Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), Horse Leech (Haemopis sanguisuga) and the clown beetle Margarinotus neglectus among some of the finds at Sirhowy Hill Woodlands, Tredegar, today.
May 9, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Three-spined Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), Horse Leech (Haemopis sanguisuga) and the clown beetle Margarinotus neglectus among some of the finds at Sirhowy Hill Woodlands, Tredegar, today.
A few sightings from a quick visit to Darren Fawr Tip, Garw Valley, today: Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela campestris), and American Blue-eyed-grass (Sisyrinchium montanum). The latter appears to be doing well there.
May 6, 2025 at 2:49 PM
A few sightings from a quick visit to Darren Fawr Tip, Garw Valley, today: Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela campestris), and American Blue-eyed-grass (Sisyrinchium montanum). The latter appears to be doing well there.
The treehopper Centrotus cornutus from Pentremawr Colliery, Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire, today. This is one of only two species of treehopper in the UK and is typically found in woodland rides, as this one was.
May 3, 2025 at 3:49 PM
The treehopper Centrotus cornutus from Pentremawr Colliery, Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire, today. This is one of only two species of treehopper in the UK and is typically found in woodland rides, as this one was.
Butterfly heaven this morning at Cwm Tips, Beddau, with Small Blue (Cupido minimus) and Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages) both on the wing 🦋 Brown-banded Carder Bee (Bombus humilis) queens were also seen foraging on Kidney Vetch flowers in the grasslands.
April 30, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Butterfly heaven this morning at Cwm Tips, Beddau, with Small Blue (Cupido minimus) and Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages) both on the wing 🦋 Brown-banded Carder Bee (Bombus humilis) queens were also seen foraging on Kidney Vetch flowers in the grasslands.