*** This cache is part of the Taking Flight GeoTour. Anyone can claim this cache, but to be eligible to receive a Taking Flight GeoTour prize tag, geocachers must complete the activities in this survey for at least 12 caches on the tour.***
This cache is accessible only by water. It is located in Twin Rivers Preserve, which is not currently open to the public, but has been made accessible for this cache. It is on land, but you will need to paddle to get there. There are no set trails at this preserve, so please be careful as you move through the landscape. As you paddle or boat to the cache site location, take a moment to collect any trash that you see on the water, removing potential hazards for wildlife. Participating in a “cache in, trash out” is one of the many ways geocachers help care for the lands they visit.
For this cache you’ll have to make like a heron and fly up the Manatee River to Gamble Creek Preserve. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for wading birds like egrets, herons, and ibises which are commonly found along the shore of the Manatee River.
As you travel up the Manatee River and into Gamble Creek - an offshoot of the lower Manatee River - you're cruising along one of Florida's blackwater rivers. Because this type of river drains areas that have lots of trees, the water is tea-colored from tree leaves and tannins. Gamble Creek is part of the Manatee River watershed which spans 351 square miles and includes 25 named lakes and ponds, 39 named rivers, streams, and canals, and 2 named Bays. All of the homes and businesses located in the land of the Manatee River Watershed play a role in impacting the water bodies and the bay into which they drain.
Gamble Creek feeding into the Lower Manatee River. Map courtesy Manatee County Water Atlas
The Manatee River (Gamble Creek indicated by star). Map courtesy Manatee Water Atlas
As you travel up river, the water becomes progressively fresher and the wildlife and plant communities change accordingly. You may see birds like the limpkin which are found only in habitats near freshwater. You may also see birds that are stopping in the area to hunt for food as well as those flying in from the coast. It’s a good idea to take a pair of binoculars with you (especially waterproof ones). Plan your trip for the early morning when the birds will be most active. Try to talk softly and to limit noise so that the birds will not be scared away.
A limpkin. Photo by Neitherday
The easiest way to learn to identify birds is by looking at their body plan. Start by considering the silhouette of the bird – this will help you to decide what type of bird you have sighted. From there you can use the colors of the bird to look it up in a field guide to get a positive identification. A bird’s behavior, habitat, songs, and calls are also excellent markers that will help to identify it.
Great Blue Heron Silhouette from Cornell’s All About Birds website
As you look for birds, keep these tips in mind:
- Watch the bird – don’t immediately look it up; take the time to really look at the details in case it quickly flies away
- Estimate general shape and size – getting an approximate idea of these two major characteristics will help you narrow down the type of bird
- Listen for calls and songs – some birds are easily identified by what they have to say
- Look for facial markings and bill characteristics – these are two color and body plan characteristics that can be especially helpful when trying to identify a bird
- Look for wing bars and tail shape – these are two other color and marking characteristics that can be especially helpful when trying to identify a bird
- Consider the bird’s location – where did you see the bird? It’s habitat can give clues as to the type.
Visit the sites along the Taking Flight GeoTour (TFGT) and learn about Manatee County's wild spaces and the amazing feathered friends that live in them. Along the way, you will be challenged to become a citizen scientist, a preserve ranger, a detective, a historian, an excellent geocacher. Caches are located in birding hot spots throughout Manatee County's publicly accessible conservation Preserves. Each one highlights a specific bird species or aspect of bird life providing you with opportunities to learn more about these creatures and what we can do to help them survive. Caches also focus on protecting the region's waterways, bays, natural watersheds, and habitat areas for many of our area's feathered friends.
The Taking Flight GeoTour launched August 20, 2012 and includes 18 caches within Manatee County.
To be eligible to receive a Taking Flight GeoTour prize tag, geocachers must complete the activities in this survey for at least 12 finds on the tour. Keep this survey open in your browser, only click submit when at least 12 finds have been completed. Survey responses will be automatically sent to Manatee County staff. Prize tags can be redeemed on Saturday mornings from 9am - 12pm at The NEST at Robinson Preserve located at 840 99th St NW, Bradenton, FL 34209. If you are unable to collect your prize tag in person, please contact ecoevents@mymanatee.org to arrange for your tag to be sent in the mail. Tags will be available while supplies last.
Thank you for assisting with the Taking Flight GeoTour: