Skip to content

SQUIRREL HIDE - THIRLMERE Traditional Geocache

Hidden : 2/22/2013
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Related Web Page

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

Short steepish climb.

The native red squirrel is a rapidly declining species in Britain due to the introduction of their larger American cousins, the grey squirrel, who rapidly take over their habitats. The Lake District is one of the few remaining areas in England where the red squirrel can still be found. The woodland beside Thirlmere Reservoir has been declared a refuge for red squirrels. United Utilites, which maintains the estate in a way that protects wildlife, the environment and water quality in the reservoir, has been trying to attract more red squirrels to the area.

In 2005 it commissioned a squirrel hide, constructed by weaving living willow branches together, to create a screen behind which visitors can view the wildlife of the forest. The squirrels build large nests, called dreys, often in the forks of trees, they are round structures, built up of leaves, twigs, dried grass and moss. Their young, known as kittens, are usually born in litters of 2-3 in the spring and are blind at birth. Signs to watch for are dreys, chewed pine cones and scratch marks on the bark of trees.

Set off from the back of Swirls car park and walk up the forestry track (past the loos)out of the car park, looking for the red edged sign taking you up a path to the right, after quite a climb up the track.

Climb through trees, go through a gap in a wall and walk on. At a grassy ride, bear left and then look for another squirrel' way mark directing you left up more steps to reach the willow hide, tucked up against bushes on the left.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Hc onax oruvaq cvrpr bs jbbq.

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)