A fascinating piece Cal, thank you. I live locally to the areas you mention in the Swansea valley, and in addition to those, I'd draw attention to the litany of former coal mining sites (the mines themselves, abandoned railways, and also washeries) scattered across the South Wales coalfield which have been reclaimed by nature. I grew up a few hundred yards from one such location, a large washery, which was mainly open areas of coal spoil with some interspersed concrete structures. I revisited the site a few months ago and was stunned at how different it now looks after nearly 25 years of natural regeneration, mainly by birch, bramble, and gorse to the point it looks totally unrecognisable.
It seems to me that these places are very important for learning all about the processes of natural regeneration, so it follows, as you conclude Cal, that they're best left alone to tell their own stories. We will learn from them.
A really interesting piece Cal - good luck with your new book! My book The Accidental Countryside covered some of your locations, though you have found others I didn't know about! Love the way you have gone international with it - so few UK nature writers venture abroad... maybe we should do so more often. Stephen Moss
The Lothian bings are just part of a fascinating story that includes extensive 18th century lime kilns and gunpowder works, which like the coal and oil shale had profound impact on the landscape and biodiversity. The legacy from this which includes calcicole plants, red rivers and old alder coppice is an endless source of fascination. I look forward to reading Flyn's book.
Just reviewing the book now! Still several pages to go but this book covers areas around the world often not covered in other books. Enjoying it immensely and well done Cal. Keep me informed of other books you are doing.
A fascinating piece Cal, thank you. I live locally to the areas you mention in the Swansea valley, and in addition to those, I'd draw attention to the litany of former coal mining sites (the mines themselves, abandoned railways, and also washeries) scattered across the South Wales coalfield which have been reclaimed by nature. I grew up a few hundred yards from one such location, a large washery, which was mainly open areas of coal spoil with some interspersed concrete structures. I revisited the site a few months ago and was stunned at how different it now looks after nearly 25 years of natural regeneration, mainly by birch, bramble, and gorse to the point it looks totally unrecognisable.
It seems to me that these places are very important for learning all about the processes of natural regeneration, so it follows, as you conclude Cal, that they're best left alone to tell their own stories. We will learn from them.
A really interesting piece Cal - good luck with your new book! My book The Accidental Countryside covered some of your locations, though you have found others I didn't know about! Love the way you have gone international with it - so few UK nature writers venture abroad... maybe we should do so more often. Stephen Moss
The Lothian bings are just part of a fascinating story that includes extensive 18th century lime kilns and gunpowder works, which like the coal and oil shale had profound impact on the landscape and biodiversity. The legacy from this which includes calcicole plants, red rivers and old alder coppice is an endless source of fascination. I look forward to reading Flyn's book.
Just reviewing the book now! Still several pages to go but this book covers areas around the world often not covered in other books. Enjoying it immensely and well done Cal. Keep me informed of other books you are doing.