Parkhall Countryside Park
Skinners Canyon is the largest and least accessible of the quarries at Parkhall. The large, shallow pond is one of twenty areas of water on the park. 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. Mammals include: rabbits, hares, stoats, foxes and badgers. Wild flowers include: lady's smock, tormentil, trefoils, vetches, buttercup, cow parsley, hogweed, woody nightshade (bittersweet) and orchids. 19 species of butterfly have been recorded including: orange tip, brimstone, speckled wood, small pearlboarded fritillary, small copper and meadow brown.
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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