GC115XQ NWWT 2 Y Ddol Uchaf (Traditional Cache) in North Wales, United Kingdom created by Team Marzipan

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Team Marzipan: TM

GC115XQ ▼

A cache by Team Marzipan Message this owner

Hidden : 2/27/2007

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

A circular walk on an undulating path around an extremely pretty Nature Reserve, taking in this and two other caches en route.

spoiler

If you're struggling with GPS signal (tree cover), look at clues. There is a small carpark next to the Nature Reserve, up a narrow lane (see reference point), where you will come to a T juntion. Turn left and the carpark is immediately on left.

Y Ddol Uchaf

This nature reserve was created to protect the diverse habitats that have developed in this old marl quarry. The tufa here was formed over the last 14,000 years and is one of the most complex and important deposits in the UK.
Tufa is formed when Calcium Carbonate precipitates out of Calcium rich water and forms around aquatic plants and mosses. Tufa is porous so on the raised mounds you see Pyramidal and Fragrant Orchids, Cowslip , Commen Twayblade , and other plants more typical of dry Calcareous grassland.
In the lower, slightly wetter areas you may find Southern Marsh Orchids and Grass of Parnessus .
Where the water table is near the surface, or where the underlying rock is less permeable, streams and pools form.
Evedence of both Otters and Water Vole been found on site, although you are unlikly to see these cretive mammels. If you stand quietly by the pools, you may see animals that you would otherwise miss.
Many pond animals are well camorflaged, often betray their presence by movement. Caddisfly larvoe camorflaged in their 'mobile homes' built from surrounding pond vegetation, stones or twigs.
The reserve is especially good for amphibians. It supports colonies of Commen frog, Commen toad, Smooth Newts, Palmates Newts and most importantly Great Crested Newts.
On the higher parts of the reserve where water is less dominant woodland and scrub have developed. The Blackthorn scub is a good place to see birds such as Blackcap linnet and a Bullfinch.
In spring, the woodland floor is carpeted with flowers like Ceandine and wood Anemone which flower before the leaves on the trees above develop and shade them out.
They are an important early nectar source for butterflies, bummblebee and beetles . The woodland is also very important for Dormice which are present within the reserve. There is Minx control in this area.

North Wales Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve - Y Ddol Uchaf.
Permission has been given by the Head Warden to place caches here, but do please keep to the footpaths.
For further information Unfortunatly, because of the terrain, most of the reserve is not suitable for wheelchairs or prams.

There are free reserve leaflets by the notice board in the carpark (sometimes) Have a look for this cache on the notice board before your walk around this lovely nature reserve or afterwards dont forget to pick up NWWT 2 Y Ddol Uchaf and Curse of the FTF - Flintshire #1 (Ddol Uchaf)

as you wander around another nearby cache - .
Ysceifog - that's easy for you to say! the 1st stage is only a stone's throw from this car park, with only half the walk

Congratulation's to Phil (PhilPamAndRob) who was the 1st to find this Geocache on 3/3/07 .

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Nccebk 1 zrger nobir tebhaq yriry, 2 zrgerf sebz gur cngu. Vs lbh ner jnyxvat nebhaq pybpxjvfr, pnpur ba lbhe yrsg. Vs lbh ner jnyxvat nebhaq nagvpybpxjvfr pnpur ba lbhe evtug Va n sbex bs n gerr (ubyr).

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)