Parkhall Countryside Park in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Top Pool is one twenty areas of water in Parkhall. It is overlooked by many gorse bushes which still display their yellow flowers in winter time. The gorse bush (ulex europaeus) is prickly and has several names, including furze and whin. It is native to Europe and the United Kingdom. It can grow to approximately three metres high, although in exposed areas it will tend to hug the ground and spread its branches while remaining less than one metre tall. It is a perennial egume which produces deep and extensive roots. All of its stems and leaves are prickly, ending in a sharp spine. It will produce huge numbers of brown to black seeds in grey hairy pods, each pod holding three or four seeds. The seeds have a hard, water resistant coating which allows them to remain dormant in the soil for up to 30 years. The small dark green leaves are stiff and covered with a waxy coat, which helps avoid water loss. The bush is covered with bright yellow, pea-like flowers. It is considered a weed in parts of Australia. Parkhall Countryside Park in Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire is situated in Stoke South parliamentary constituency; Parkhall comprises of 333 acres based on a sandstone ridge. The geological features give the park its status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and it also has National Nature Reserve (NNR) status. Mentioned in 1449 as a deer park, drift coal mining started in the 19th Century. Between 1939 and 1970 quarrying of sand and gravel took place; afterwards it was used as a rubbish tip. In 1971 Stoke-On-Trent City Council and Staffordshire County Council drew up plans to reclaim the land with the park opening in 1981. The stone formation make it place of geological interest. Over 100 species of birds have been recorded. Rarieties include: firecrest, crossbill and hoopoe. All five species of British owl have been seen. There are 20 small pools with newts, frogs, toads and Europe's largest dragonfly - the emperor.
Size: 5313px × 3518px
Location: Parkhall Countryside Park, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Photo credit: © dean nixon / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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