East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve is one of the best places in the country to enjoy the outdoors and to encounter wildlife. It comprises three joined but distinct areas; Yarner Wood, Trendlebere Down and the valley of the River Bovey. The wood is renowned for its towering stands of ancient oak woodland; drenched with lichens, mosses and ferns. There are many woodland paths and tracks to cater for walks of any length at any time of year. Yarner Wood is a favourite and well-known haunt for bird watchers. You can see woodland birds of all kinds here, but the wood is famous for its pied flycatchers, lesser spotted woodpeckers and wood warblers. April to early June are the best months to see these beautiful and enigmatic birds. In winter, well stocked feeders at the bird hide attract hundreds of woodland birds who come to feed. In summer, tracks near the hide are frequented by gliding silver-washed fritillary butterflies gathering nectar from bramble flowers.
YARNER WOOD CAR PARK IS CLOSED AT 7PM (or dusk if earlier) IN THE EVENING AND OPENS AT 9AM IN THE MORNING. PLEASE KEEP DOGS ON A LEAD TO HELP PROTECT THE WILDLIFE. THERE MAY BE LIVESTOCK IN AND AROUND THE NATURE RESERVE.
I would like to thank Natural England for giving permission to place the cache. The walk is 1.7 miles long and should take 1 – 2 hrs. The route pretty much follows the former Nature Trail short route to answer the following questions. The Nature Trail was signposted with green arrows and there are still some markers in position. The given coordinates are for the park office and toilets. There is no need to go off the main paths/tracks.
Children – Beware of the Tree Troll at Waypoint 7!
Cache is hidden at N50° (g/j)a.f(h+j)(c+i), W003° c(d+j).(a-b)(f/i)e
To check your answer, the total sum of the coordinate digits = 45
Car-Park : N50° 36.038 W003 43.327
Question 1 (N50° 35.999, W003° 43.320) Pied Flycatchers and Wood Warblers fly over b000 miles from West Africa to these woods? (Answer = b)
Question 2 (N 50° 35.977' W 3° 43.567') How many words on the green plaque on the gate? (Answer = c) If you prefer to go down steps as opposed to the little path here, a few yards further on there is another gate which leads to a stepped path.
Question 3 (N50° 35.949, W003° 43.608) How many 'acorns' on the top of the roof? (Answer = d)
Question 4 (N50° 35.856, W003° 43.477) What century was Yarner Wood charcoal production established? (Answer = ef)
Question 5 (N50° 35.880, W003° 43.318) Number of letters going through the brown arrow - 2 (Answer = g)
Waypoint 7 (N50° 35.735, W003° 43.134) BEWARE OF THE TREE TROLL!!!!!!!
Question 6 (N50° 35.699, W003° 43.174) What date in March was the bird hide opened. (Answer = hi)
Question 7 (N50° 35.824, W003° 43.101) How many carved birds can you see? (Answer = j)
Question 8 (N50° 35.838, W003° 42.945) How many coloured layers can you see? (Answer = a)