Knysna Lourie Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

Afrika Rocks: Sadly all KKNR caches are now officially in need of Archiving - should this situation change - we will advise the Geocaching community.

Please could you arrange the removal of your cache in order to comply with the wishes of Reserve Management as part of your maintenance strategy.

Regards
Afrika Rocks

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Hidden : 12/16/2006
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:



The Coordinates listed is at the begining of the Trail

The Kloof Gorge is one of the few places in Durban where the Knysna Lourie can be found, along with a number of forest birds. Typical forest species include; Crowned Eagle, Knysna Lourie, Emerald Cuckoo, Wood Owl, Narina Trogon, Grey Cuckooshrike, Green Twinspot, Grey Waxbill, Swee Waxbill, and Redbacked Mannikin. In winter a number of altitudinal migrants arrive such as Chorister Robin, Starred Robin, Yellowthroated Warbler. Spotted Thrush has also been observed in the winter months. Wahlberg’s Eagle, Lanner Falcon and Peregrine Falcon all nest in the lower gorge and may occasionally be seen. African Broadbill has also been heard in the bottom of the gorge, but the likelihood of seeing this elusive species is remote.

Birding
1. Kloof Falls Road picnic site. This picnic site has a pleasant aspect and parking area. Check around the dam for Longtailed Wagtail. In the area at the cache Green Twinspot, Wood Owl, Grey Waxbill, Grey Cuckooshrike, Narina Trogon, Emerald Cuckoo and Redbacked Mannikin can be found.
2. A few pairs of Crowned Eagle breed in the gorge and the nest of one pair is visible from a path along the lip of the gorge. Take the path downstream towards the main gorge from the Kloof Falls picnic site, but keeping to the upper path. Continue for about 500m, keeping an eye out for the nest in a large exposed tree below the path to your left. If you get to a deep ravine crossing the path you have gone too far. In late summer the forest 'sword' grass will be in seed and should be checked for Green Twinspot and Grey Waxbill. The best way to find these birds is to listen for their soft whistle and high-pitched trills, which warn you of their presence long before you see them.

The reserve is open from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm daily.
Access is charged (R15 pp ) at the Kloof Falls picnic site.

Final Cache Coordinates: S29 4A.BCD E30 49.EFF

Identify the birds in the pictures or descriptions and find the Roberts Bird Numbers. Roberts Bird Numbers can be found in many birders handbooks, Multimedia software or on the internet

A = Last Digit of Roberts Bird number (Picture A)

B = Second last Digit of Roberts Bird Number Identification (Owl)
Size: medium; deep red-brown above, spotted white on wings; tail barred, longish, extending well beyond wingtips at rest; below barred russet and white; face white, especially broad eyebrows, contrasting with dark crown and eyes.
Immature: Similar to adult, but paler on head, with less well-defined white facial markings.
Chick: Downy white; bill pale cream; feet pink.
Bare Parts: Iris brown; eyelids reddish; bill yellow; feet yellowish pink.
Food: Mainly insects; also rodents, frogs, birds, centipedes; rarely snakes.

C = First Digit of Roberts Bird Number of the S.A. National Bird

D = First Digit of Roberts Bird Number (Picture D)

E = Second Last Digit of Roberts Bird Number (Picture E)

FF = Two Last Digits of Roberts Bird Number (Picture FF)

You can check your answers for this puzzle on Geochecker.com.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Lbh arrq n Crr sbe guvf pnpur, gur pnpur vf nobhg frira zrgref njnl sebz gur genvy

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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