The Teesside Thirsty Turtle Traditional Cache
Workyticket: As there appears to have been no response from the CO we are archiving the cache listing to prevent it from continually showing up in search lists and to prevent it from blocking other cache placements in the area.
Drew and Kaz
Workyticket
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The Teesside Thirsty Turtle
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This is a medium sized well stocked cache located in Portrack Marsh Nature Reserve, beware of Muggles as area can be busy with dog walkers etc.
Portrack Marsh Nature Reserve is a 50 acre local nature reserve by the northern bank of the river Tees between the Tees Barrage and the Newport Bridge.
The land for the reserve is inside a former meander of the old river Tees. The loop was removed in 1830-31 by creating the Portrack Cut through the marshes, leaving an artificial oxbow lake, shortening the river and making it more navigable. Part of the oxbow lake of the old river bed was filled in leaving Portrack Lake but this was lost in the 1970s. Part of this land was purchased by Northumbrian Water for a water treatment works with the proviso that some of the land would be set aside and managed as a nature reserve. Tees Valley Wildlife Trust was established in 1979 and they own the western half of the reserve. In 1992 Northumbria Water created new pools in their part of the reserve.
Over the years various wildlife projects on the nature reserve have been funded by bodies such as Biffa, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Northumbrian Water, and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.
Some 163 bird species have been recorded at this reserve with 90-100 recorded annually.
The reserve is noted for its large and varied butterfly population. Insects to be found include butterflies and dragonflies which provide additional interest during the quieter summer birding months. As for mammals, urban foxes have been seen in the area and the harvest mouse was introduced to the site in a schools project along with nesting boxes but the success of the introduction is uncertain. Grey and Common Seals gorge themselves on salmon and sea trout while Otters have been spotted in recent years.
As you can see the reserve is home to many birds, plants, trees, amphibians, insects and mammals, but no reptiles. Until NOW!
Please take/post a photo of you supplying the turtle with liquid refreshment as it must be noted this is a very thirsty turtle.
This cache is planted with kind permission from The Tees Valley Wildlife Trust.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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