GC1XVFD The Acadian Owl (Unknown Cache) in Indiana, United States created by Indiana Dunes Interpretive Services

This cache has been archived.

Indiana DNR: Thanks

GC1XVFD ▼

A cache by Indiana Dunes Interpretive Services Message this owner

Hidden : 9/30/2009

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Pretty easy mystery cache located at the Indiana Dunes State Park.

This cache was created by the Indiana Dunes State Park Interpretive Staff. The mission of the Indiana State Park Interpretive Services is to provide information and interpretive experiences with Indiana's natural and cultural resources to visitors, staff, and a diverse public. As per the IDNR Geocaching Policy, this geocache is not in an IDNR dedicated Nature Preserve and has been permitted.

Begin your journey at the above coordinates. The usual Dunes State Park admission is required ($1.00 bicycle, $4.00 in-state weekday, $5.00 weekend, or $10.00 out of state vehicles).

The cache was created to give a special look at the often unknown migration of the secretive, tiny Northern Saw-whet Owl. In 2009, the Indiana Dunes Interpretive Services began a nocturnal owl banding project to locate and log how many of these owls migrate through the dunes in the fall. Banding is done in October and November. Each bird is weighed, measured, and sexed before being given a bird band and released. Visitors can check the interpretive schedule or ask the naturalists for public showings to watch these birds up close.

To find this cache, you need to determine whether the 10 owls captured below are males, females, or unknown sex (not all can be figured out). It is done by the length of the wing and the weight of the bird. Below are the 10 birds, and the chart you need to sex them:

1) Weight: 89g, Wing Chord: 132mm
2) Weight: 82g, Wing Chord: 125mm
3) Weight: 90g, Wing Chord: 137mm
4) Weight: 91g, Wing Chord: 123mm
5) Weight: 77g, Wing Chord: 134mm
6) Weight: 94g, Wing Chord: 131mm
7) Weight: 93g, Wing Chord: 122mm
8) Weight: 83g, Wing Chord: 125mm
9) Weight: 87g, Wing Chord: 129mm
10) Weight: 97g, Wing Chord: 140mm

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Using the chart, you should get 10 sexes that you can compare with the 4 codes below. Use the one that matches to get the actual coordinates to the geocache. Male=M, Female=F, and Unknown=U

A) UMFMMFMUMF- use N 41 39.552 W 087 02.974
B) FMFUMFFMUF- use N 41 39.555 W 087 03.019
C) FMFMUFMFUM- use N 41 39.604 W 087 03.088
D) MFUUFMMUUF- use N 41 39.628 W 087 02.943

Enjoy!