NWWT Y Ddol Uchaf Traditional Cache

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Team Marzipan: TM

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Hidden : 3/23/2010
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

A circular walk on an undulating path around an extremely pretty Nature Reserve, taking in this, a small and a regular cache en route.


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 junction. 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, Common 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.
Evidence of both otters and water voles have been found on site, although you are unlikly to see these secretive mammals. If you stand quietly by the pools, you may lucky enough to see these rare animals.
Many pond animals are well camouflaged but often betray their presence by movement, eg caddisfly larvae camouflaged in their 'mobile homes' built from surrounding pond vegetation, stones or twigs.
The reserve is especially good for amphibians. It supports colonies of common frogs, common toads, Smooth newts, Palmate 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 scrub is a good place to see birds such as blackcap, linnet and bullfinch.
In spring, the woodland floor is carpeted with flowers eg celandine 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, bumble bees 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 please keep to the footpaths.
For further information.
Unfortunately, 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 you walk around this lovely nature reserve or afterwards .
Don't forget to pick up NWWT 2 Y Ddol Uchaf and Curse of the FTF - Flintshire #1 (Ddol Uchaf)

as you wander around.

Congratulations to Mr FTF (PhilPamAndRob) Phil and our micro Queen (Fantasyraider) Tia for FTFing this cache

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Abgvpr Obneq, qbag sbetrg lbh pna CNS (07885582424)

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)


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