Rare and endangered species are thriving on brownfield land the results of a review of the Land Restoration Trust’s spaces, has identified this week.
Former colliery sites, an old brickworks and a coke works that was once the most contaminated site in 
Europe, might not seem the obvious places to experience nature but they are home to many rare and endangered species. The Land Restoration Trust, an organisation which secures the long term future of public spaces and ensures they are managed for community benefit, owns these and many similar sites.
Euan Hall, Chief Executive of the Trust, comments, “Nationally the loss of many traditional habitats has led to decline of some of the country’s most loved species. However, brownfield land is providing a viable alternative home for a diverse range of wildlife. The skylark is a classic example; one of our most iconic birds is declining nationally, yet visit almost any of the Trust’s spaces in springtime and the sight and beautiful sounds of the skylark are virtually guaranteed. Similarly Lapwings are also common on the Trust’s spaces, water voles are resident on a number of our sites and yellowhammers are frequently spotted.”
Other red list species such as turtle dove, song thrush, reed bunting, yellow wagtail, bullfinch, willow tit, great crested newts, otter and brown hare are resident or regular visitors to the Trust’s spaces. Whilst rarities such as marsh harrier, long eared owls, peregrine falcons and little egret have also been spotted. Additionally because many of the Trust spaces have meadow grassland, endangered butterflies like the grizzled skipper are thriving.
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