Descrição
Silverdale Country Park was once mined for iron ore, coal, and gas from the late 18th century until the colliery’s closure in 1998. The park features two distinct areas: the Waste Farm Plateau, an open grassland with wildflowers, natural grasses, and young trees, and the Void, a dramatic steep-sided bowl with a striking pool at its base.
The Void’s shallow wetlands attract a wide variety of wildlife, including Abibe-comum, Borrelho-pequeno-de-coleira, Galeirão-comum, Galinha-d'água, Zarro-negrinha, Merganso-grande, dragonflies, and amphibians, and is designated a Site of Biological Importance (SBI) for its valuable habitats. The Waste Farm Plateau and the woods surrounding it attract Felosa-malhada, Cartaxo-comum, Pica-pau-verde, Petinha-dos-prados and others.
In winter flocks of finches can be found flying around, including Pintarroxo-de-queixo-preto, Pintassilgo, Dom-fafe, Verdilhão-comum, Tentilhão-montês. They are sometimes followed by raptors like peneireiro-de-dorso-malhado / peneireiro and Gavião da Europa.
Detalhes
Acesso
Silverdale Country Park is located in Silverdale, just west of Newcastle‑under‑Lyme and west of Stoke‑on‑Trent. The park is best accessed by car - there are several car parks (click P on the map for directions). The area is best explored by foot - allow couple of hours or more, depending on how many habitats you want to explore. The walking route shown on the map is about 6 km in total.