NWT: Whitelee Moor - Carter Fell Traditional Cache

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Hidden : 10/23/2012
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
4.5 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:


Before reading on please note that although this cache is only 1.5 miles from the closest parking most of the way to it is pathless and boggy. When I placed the cache it was incredibly wet underfoot and my boots are still wet 5 days later.
The top of the fell is fairly flat and featureless except for a fence so I suggest following that to the cache, although at times it's easier to walk a little to the side of it.
Weather conditions in the hills are very changeable and you should be well equipped before setting out. When we set the cache visibility was down to less than 50m at times so you should have good navigation skills even with the fence - take a map and compass and the knowledge of how to use them.
You should not rely on having a phone signal

For complete information on Whitelee Moor please also read the cache pages for NWT:Whitelee Moor South and NWT:Whitelee Moor Cairns

Whitelee is currently stocked with cheviot and black face sheep and luing cattle. Stocking numbers have remained fairly constant for many decades, under the stewardship agreement there is a maximum of 800 sheep and 36 cattle.

Significant birlife on site has included Black Grouse, Ring Ouzel, Dunlin, Golden Plover, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Skylark and Meadow Pipit.

Black Grouse: These have been sighted occasionally on the site, the latest being in autumn 2009 . The site is between a known population in the Otterburn Ranges and a former colony on Kielderhead.
Ring Ouzel: None have been seen on site for a number of years. Expert advice suggests that there are no adverse changes on the site but that this loss is more likely due to the national decline.
Dunlin: Annual surveys indicate a low but consistent number of breeding pairs on Carter Pike and White Crags areas.
Golden Plover: Annual surveys show a steady decline in numbers on site but the view is that this is largely due to national declines than any problem with on site habitat. Merlin: have not nested on site for many years but nest locally with good populations in the general area. Peregrine: Two pairs nest locally with one pair using the site in 2008 following disturbance at its traditional nest site. Skylark & Meadow Pipit: Annual surveys indicate good numbers of both species nesting on site.

A population of feral goats is resident in the Kielder Head/ Whitelee area but these are not often seen. A 2004 estimate put the numbers for the Whitelee population at around 75 but a recent goat censuses carried out by the Forestry Commission and NWT estimated the population to be significantly lower. Some effort is put into keeping the goats away from sensitive areas but the goats are treated as wild animals.

If you spot any interesting wildlife whilst visiting this cache please mention them in your log.

The cache log is waterproof paper. If you can't write on it with a pen try the pencil which is in the box. Because of the nature of the location I would suggest not leaving any trackables.

I have rated the terrain according to the ground conditions when I visited. I've put it as a 4.5 to err on the side of caution but would finders please let me know what they think.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Obggbz bs pbeare cbfg

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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