Penned In! Traditional Cache
Royal Oak: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.
If you wish to email me please send your email via my profile (click on my name) and quote the cache name and number.
Regards
Royal Oak
Volunteer UK Reviewer
UK Geocaching Policies Wiki
Geocaching.com Help Center
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(micro)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This cache is an extension to my first cache Natter, Natter, Natter (GC3BRMW) There are 6 caches in total in this series. I have marked the cache as a 2.5 terrain difficulty as some of the path is on quite deep sand so wouldnt be suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs or bicycles. You will need to bring a pen.
This area of the dunes system is grazed by a flock of Herdwick Sheep in the winter and spring months from October to May, which helps maintain the slacks and prevent scrub encroachment which threatens the survival of many of the areas rare specialist plants and flowers.
The grazing programme at Ainsdale has developed considerably over the last ten years. This was an attempt to mimic the grazing of the rabbit population which has been considerably reduced by Myxomatosis since the 1950s. Rabbits, which had been warrened in previous centuries, kept the dunes grazed and disturbed the ground with their burrowing. Sheep grazing has proved to be successful, areas of short turf and disturbance now exist through the grazing and trampling activities of sheep and the secondary action of a recovering rabbit population. Without the impact of grazing animals the vegetation on the dunes would become dominated by common grass species and woody shrubs.
Sefton Council has grazed 7 hectares (17 acres) of their Ainsdale Sandhills LNR with 30 Herdwick sheep which are brought from Wasdale in the Lake District each October by a National Trust tenant farmer. Being a hardy uplands breed they are able to cope admirably with the mild coastal climate and rough grazing of the dune vegetation. When they are returned to the fells in late April they are in better condition than those that have over wintered there. At a time when upland farming is a marginal occupation this migratory grazing system offers a welcome benefit.
Visitors are free to walk through the grazing enclosures, but dogs must be on leads and please close any gates that you may need to go through.
Whilst doing this cache you can help with conservation by observing a few simple rules:
1, Please keep dogs under close control or on leads and please clean up there mess.
2, Please do not disturb the wildlife, keep people and dogs out of the slacks (breeding pools) in spring and summer.
3, Do not pick flowers.
4, Do not remove spawn or tadpoles from the pools.
5, No fires or camping
6, Please take any litter with you, there are bins at the car park and on the beach.
This walk can be enjoyed throughout the day and is especially nice in the early summer evenings. Ainsdale beach is just a short walk over the dunes so you can easily make it a day out with a picnic and a paddle in the sea whilst grabbing this cache.
The cache is located along the path lined with white tipped wooden marker posts if you start at the car park, or you can follow Pinfold path/Green marker posts if you come in from Pinfold Lane end.
Cache placed with the kind permission of Principal Coast and Countryside Officer.
Happy caching!
Congratulations to Jason Johnson and Kellys Icecream for your FTF 
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Fvyire Xrlevat pnpur