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Welcome to The Nature Conservancy's Finzel Swamp Preserve! Look for this geocache at a small pond just past the gate. A window into ice ages past, Finzel Swamp is located in a "frost pocket," an area where the surrounding hills capture moisture and cold air that conspire to create a landscape more reminiscent of habitat found much further north in Canada. Finzel is open to the public for birdwatching and nature walks year-round.
This pond was excavated to take advantage of an old spring and was perhaps used to water cows at one time. A notable plant here at the smaller pond is the abundance of Watercress, an edible plant in the mustard family. Other vegetation near the cache are a scotch pine (not a native plant; most likely planted for landscaping or revegetation), some black cherry trees and maple trees. While enjoying Maryland's great outdoors during hunting season, remain mindful of hunters and wear orange for your safety. For more information, visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources web site. What to See at the Preserve: Plants •One of the southernmost occurrences for tamarack (or larch), wild calla, and Canadian burnet in the United States. •Red spruce, small cranberry, cotton grass, and bog fern. Animals •Woodland jumping mouse, smoky shrew, and bobcat. •State-rare breeding birds found here are the Virginia rail, sedge wren, alder flycatcher, Nashville warbler, and saw-whet owl. •You may also be able to glimpse rose-breasted grosbeak, woodcock, cedar waxwing, scarlet tanager, wild turkey, and the whip-poor-will. Keep in mind the preserve guidelines when visiting a Nature Conservancy Preserve: To protect the health of the preserve for generations to come, and to ensure the safety of all visitors, the following activities are not allowed: •Picking flowers, mushrooms, etc.; removing rocks or other parts of the landscape. •Smoking. •Camping, fires or cookouts. •Driving motorized vehicles, including ATV’s, except on designated access roads. •Biking. •Fishing, trapping, or hunting, except as otherwise posted. •Bringing dogs onto the preserve. •Horseback riding. •Feeding wildlife. •Releasing animals or introducing plants. •Disposing of trash or other waste, including biodegradable materials. In addition, in order to minimize the impact visitors have on the preserve, please: •Use trails. •Avoid walking in wet, boggy areas. •Inspect pant legs and shoes to remove seeds before entering and when leaving the preserve. Failure to do so could introduce unwanted weeds to new locations. •If you flush a ground nesting bird - stop and avoid walking near the nest area. •Observe all posted signs. •Please do not remove stakes, signs, flagging, tape or other objects - they might be part of a research project. •Please do not trespass on private property adjacent to the preserve. Thank you for being respectful of the preserve and the geocache, and have fun exploring this preserve!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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