We were in the process of checking our map for a suitable location
to place our next hide, Far Side of The
Mere when we noticed something was wrong; something was
missing; well in fact two things were missing .......
A quick check found that the two caches 'Oh Deer Me...' and
'Three Billy Goats Gruff' were no more; they were gone; vamooshed;
placed into that great Tupperware holder in the sky ..... okay,
they had been archived as the owner had left the area and was
unable to maintain them.
Seeing as these were two of the very first caches we had found
combined with the other caches we have placed around Aqualate Mere,
it seemed only right that we should bring them back to life so here
they are, back in the same spots as before we now have this cache
'Oh Deer Deer Me...' and 'Return of the Three Billy Goats'
Aqualate Mere is an example of an esker system (rare in the
Midlands) formed by glacial meltwaters during the late Devensian
glaciation, about 50,000 years ago. The depression in which the
Mere lies, thought to be a kettle hole, and the surrounding higher
ground which comprises glacial sand and gravel deposits were all
formed at the same time.
The Mere itself is some 1.5km long and 0.5km wide. It is however
remarkably shallow and is nowhere much more than one metre deep. It
supports diverse fish and bird populations, including large numbers
of wintering and breeding wildfowl and breeding Eurasian Curlew and
Common Snipe. Together with the surrounding land, it is also
important for its botanical and invertebrate communities. The Mere
and its surroundings are designated a National Nature Reserve,
managed by Natural England.
Mammals found on the NNR include Polecat, Water Vole and Harvest
Mouse, together with Pipistrelle, Daubenton's, Natterer's, Brandt's
and Whiskered Bats.
Please be aware that some very rare birds visit this area and
that large numbers of enthusiasts travel a long distance to watch
them. Avoid making loud noises and please ensure dogs are on leads
at all times.
The cache is a small round GeoPenguins container with logbook
and a few small swaps - please try and retain the quality of our
caches by adhering to the Geocaching ideals of exchanging items of
equal or greater value or purpose.
The original cache was called 'Oh Deer Me...' rightly so,
because this area, at the rear of the Aqualate Estate, is home to a
large family of Deer ... if you're lucky enough you may see one or
more on your way to the GZ. You can still view the original 'Oh
Deer Me...' entry by clicking here, read the original visit logs,
and don't forget to check out the pics of some even more 'unusual'
visitors than the Deer !!!