GC1DBYX Berrow Dunes (Earthcache) in United Kingdom created by Berrow Cachers

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GC1DBYX ▼

A cache by Berrow Cachers Message this owner

Hidden : 6/19/2008

Difficulty:

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Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

Berrow Dunes Local Nature Reserve lies within the much larger Berrow Dunes Site of Special Scientific
Interest (SSSI).

The sand dune systems that are found here are rare, both on a national and local scale, and contain a wide
variety of coastal habitats which support a diverse range of flora and fauna.

This Earthcache requires you to explore the nature reserve; learning about dunes, and providing a valuable
photo journal of key locations. The map below is for illustration only! Each location can be visited
in any order.

Parking:
N51°16.613, W003°00.803

Waypoint 1 – Photo task
N51°16.604, W003°00.881

Waypoint 2 – Photo task
N51°16.575, W003°00.914

Waypoint 3 – Information point
N51°16.567, W003°00.941

Waypoint 4 – Question task
N51°16.674, W003°01.065

Waypoint 5 – Information point
N51°16.761, W003°00.926

Sand dune formation.

The foredunes are the first dunes to form in the dune system, and they develop above the line of
wave deposited debris (strandline) where only the strongest waves in very high tides will reach.

The strandline may slow the wind blown sand sufficiently so fast growing pioneering plants can
start to grow. At Berrow, Lyme grass is among the first grass to become established. This
tall grass is able to keep pace with the sand that accumulates around it by growing rapidly
upward and outward, slowing the sand down and thus forming a narrow line of low dunes.

The dunes here are known as “yellow” or “white” dunes because of the bare areas of sand.
There are little nutrients or water and the dunes are unstable. Only a few plants can survive.
Decaying plant material and animal dropping enrich the dunes, resulting in more stability.
These dunes are sometimes called “grey” dunes, with mosses and lichen covering the bare ground.

ACTIVITIES: At waypoints 1 and 2 you are in the stable dunes where you will find dune slacks
and ponds. Slacks are are formed by high water tables in hollows, however as the water table falls in the
summer months they sometimes dry out to a damp marshy area. When the water table rises and the marshy areas
become ponds.

Please photograph the slacks/ponds at waypoints 1 and 2, and provide the date, time of day and recent
weather for each picture.

Pond at Waypoint 1 in February 2008 and June 2008

The information Board near photo point 2 is shown below

Information Board at Waypoint 3 explains more about the foredunes.

QUESTION: At waypoint 4 you can find out more about the strandline and the foredunes.
Email me how blowouts are formed at Berrow and what the fences do.

While here walk along the strandline; in your email tell me what you found and if you CITO’d anything.

If you ever get the opportunity to walk through the nature reserve with a wildlife expert then it’s
fascinating to learn more about this area, find the rare plants and hear how man helps (and hinders) this
landscape.

Information Board at Waypoint 5

Waypoint 5 is optional, but interesting to see how the dunes are different at this side of the reserve;
lots more rabbit holes and grass. This is partly largely due to a builder, who in the 1970’s, took sand
for his business; plants on the easterly bank are quite different to those found in more natural westerly
bank. This picture is taken looking north towards Waypoint 5.

Here’s a reminder of what you have to do!

1. Upload a photo at waypoint 1 providing the date, time of day and recent weather.
2. Upload a photo at waypoint 2 providing the date, time of day and recent weather.
3. Email me the answer the question, “How are blowouts are formed at Berrow and what the fences do?”
4. Email me what you CITO’d from the strandline – I’ll update information received from this task periodically.

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Berrow Dunes EarthCache

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