Wetlands, Waterbodies, and Wings EarthCache
Wetlands, Waterbodies, and Wings
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Wetlands, Waterbodies, and Wings Earthcache
IMPORTANT: There is an entrance fee to this conservation area. Please visit www.erca.org for current fees.
Holiday Beach Conservation Area
Holiday Beach Conservation Area is located near the western tip of Lake Erie, just east of where the Detroit River empties into Lake Erie. The formation of the Great Lakes, adjoining rivers, and wetlands were formed some 10,000-12,000 years ago during the retreat of the Wisconsin Glacier. As the large sheet of ice melted and receded, it caused significant changes to the landscape.
Wings
Geographically, this site is located at the bottom-end of the migratory funnel created by the lower Great Lakes (Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair). Birds migrating along the northern shore of Lake Erie have only a short flight across the Detroit River before they are then able to fan out in a broader southern movement. As a result, this area is ideal for observing bird migration (especially raptors such as hawks and eagles). Importantly, this area has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) in 2000.
Wetlands and Waterbodies
Holiday Beach Conservation Area is home to a variety of wetlands and waterbodies. The main factor that distinguishes wetlands from waterbodies is the characteristic vegetation that is adapted to its unique soil conditions: Wetlands consist primarily of hydric soil, that is, soil formed under water-saturated conditions which supports aquatic plants.
The posted coordinates will bring you to the top of an observation tower, known as 'Hawk Tower'. From this vantage point you will be able to identify 2 wetlands and 2 water bodies, specifically a marsh, swamp, lake and pond.
Marsh - A marsh is a wetland that is dominated by grasses, rushes or reeds rather than woody plants (ie trees). The boundaries of a marsh are not well-defined. The marsh in this area is a large shallow marsh with mostly open water. It is the largest wetland in the immediate area.
Swamp - A swamp is a wetland that is forested (containing trees). The freshwater swamp forest located near the shoreline is moisture tolerant and contains decidous trees.
Lake - A lake is a body of water, usually freshwater, of considerable size contained on a body of land. Lakes are usually fed and drained by rivers and streams. The freshwater lake in this area is Lake Erie, the fourth largest of the Great Lakes. Lake Erie is the main determinant of the water levels in this entire area.
Pond - A pond is a body of water that is usually much smaller than a lake. A pond has a well defined basin (usually shallow depression) that is filled with stagnant water and ringed by vegetation. The pond in this area is much smaller than Lake Erie.
In order to log this Earthcache, you must email team wiji (see profile for email) the answers to the following questions:
1. The top of the observation tower is in the shape of a square. Each of the four sides of the tower face predominantly, North, South, East, and West. Take a moment and observe the area from each of these directions. Fill in the blanks with the compass direction (N, S, E or W) which best aligns with the location of the following:
a. MARSH -> _________
b. SWAMP -> _________
c. LAKE -> _________
d. POND -> _________
2. -BONUS QUESTION (optional)- The observation tower has a flag pole affixed to it. What is at the top of the flag pole?
3. -OPTIONAL- Post a photo of your team and/or your GPSr at the top of the tower with your favourite wetland or waterbody in the background. You may post this photo with your log.
++ Congratulations to Donmoore on the FTF!! ++
Additional Hints
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Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
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