Humberhead Levels Geocaching

Illustrations by Elizabeth Stanley
For more information about the
CONNECT project, email us at
[email protected] or visit the
website at www.ywt.org.uk/connect.
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Geocaching is an outdoor, high tech
treasure hunt enjoyed by over six million
people worldwide. Millions of hidden
containers, called geocaches, are hidden
in hundreds of different countries and
all you have to do is download the coordinates from the geocaching website
and set out on your own adventure. It can
take you to amazing and beautiful places
all around the world and now, thanks to
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, the fun is being
brought to your doorstep.
What is geocaching?
Cache In Trash Out is an ongoing
environmental initiative supported by
the worldwide geocaching community.
All geocachers can help to preserve the
natural beauty of our outdoor resources
by not leaving anything behind.
Cache In Trash Out!
Visiting www.ywt.org.uk/geocache
and following the link to our profile
on geocaching.com. Next, follow the
links to download the GPS co-ordinates
of the caches at our nature reserves
straight onto your phone or GPS device.
Get involved by...
Our nature reserves are some of the most
beautiful places in the UK and host some
amazing wildlife. We aim to make our
nature reserves places that people can
enjoy discovering more about the wildlife in
their area and where wildlife can thrive.
The CONNECT Project is running as part of
the Humberhead Levels NIA programme
and aims to encourage local communities
around the NIA to get more involved with
their local green spaces and take part in
events, activities and training events.
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s
CONNECT project is
joining the fun by hiding
caches in nine nature
reserves spread across the Humberhead
Levels Nature Improvement Area (NIA)
which spans all the way across Yorkshire &
Humber, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
The CONNECT Project
Geocaching tips
About us
Do’s and dont’s...
Humberhead Levels Partnership
l Stick to the paths; nature reserves can be quite sensitive
to human disturbance
l Read notices: sometimes there might be a reason to
close paths or to pass important messages onto visitors
l Make sure you have sun lotion, hats and insect repellent
for your adventure to protect you from harmful sun rays
and biting insects
l Take plenty of fluids for your adventure to keep you
hydrated; take more in warmer weather
l Check whether dogs are allowed on the sites you are
visiting prior to your adventure
l Take enough batteries with you or make sure your GPS
is fully charged
l Tell someone where you are going and let them know
when you expect to be back
We have been working in partnership for over 10 years to
achieve sustainable land management across the 2000km2 of
Humberhead Levels that straddles the borders of Yorkshire,
Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, where rivers draining one
fifth of England meet the Humber Estuary.
Nature Improvement Area
A £1.8million project working to connect up wildlife
and people on a huge scale across the area, creating an
internationally renowned wetland landscape. Over 1400
hectares for wildlife will be created and restored, and a
network of key sites created that work for both communities
and the wildlife that moves on or between them. The
Humberhead Levels Nature Improvement Area is led by
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. The geocache trail was organised by
CONNECT and is a great way to visit all the gateway sites!
l Take some form of identification with you
Contact information
l Don’t pick anything from the nature reserve unless you
have permission to do so
e: [email protected]
l Wear comfortable clothing and footwear
Geocaching
What will you find...?
w: www.ywt.org.uk
t: 01904 659570
l Check the weather forecast before your adventure.
Our local geocache reviews
“Thanks for a lovely series”
Thorncliffe at Potteric Carr Nature Reserve
“A good selection of bits and pieces in the caches”
Smithypair at Potteric Carr Nature Reserve
“Nice clean, dry cache, NO SLUGS!”
Puursian Queene at North Cave Wetlands
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Come along to our nine nature reserves for a chance to join the
geocache adventure and enjoy the sights and sounds of your local wildlife!
1 North Cave Wetlands
2 Alkborough Flats
North Cave Wetlands, although a former sand and gravel
quarry, is now an oasis of thriving wildlife. A day spent
here any time of the year will reward visitors with close
up views of a range of wetland wildlife and a chance
to join the geocache adventure. A 2km perimeter path
gives access around the established nature reserve and
four large hides are positioned to give excellent viewing
over key areas for birdwatchers and photographers alike.
Keep an eye out for the huge variety of birds, butterflies
and small mammals that call this nature reserve home.
This site is a superb natural setting for lovers of wildlife.
New habitats have been created which provide a haven
for wading birds and wildfowl making the site an ideal
place for bird watching and leisurely walks. Its location
on the Humber, one of Europe’s top destinations for
migratory wildfowl, provides essential feeding sites for
thousands of birds on the way to their winter feeding
grounds. Come along and enjoy the wildlife while you
hunt for the geocaches hidden here.
4 Yorkshire Waterways Museum
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
North Cave Wetlands
Follow the towpath nature trail established around
the museum to discover our hidden geocaches whilst
keeping your eyes peeled for great crested newts, barn
owls and several rare species of butterfly.
1
RSPB Blacktoft Sands
5
GOOLE
4
Yorkshire Waterways Museum
2
M18
M180
9
6
Lincolnshire Wildlife
Trust Crowle Moors
Natural England
Hatfield Moor
Wildlife
7 Yorkshire
Trust Potteric Carr
7 Potteric Carr
Come along to Potteric Carr
and hunt for the geocaches
hidden along the nature trails
whilst you enjoy stunning
wetland habitat littered with
pockets of woodland and
wildflower meadows.
The bird hides allow you to get up close and personal
with birds such as woodpeckers and kingfishers, and
if you are really lucky you may even spot a bittern!
During your adventure you may also encounter
mammals such as roe deer and hedgehogs, and staff
are on hand to show you the best spots for pond
dipping - look out for newts, frogs and whirligig
beetles. The paths suitable for wheelchairs and
pushchairs and the friendly Kingfisher Tearooms is a
great place for you to recharge with friends and family
after a great day out.
Lincolnshire Wildlife
Trust Far Ings
3
North Lincolnshire
Council
Alkborough Flats
SCUNTHORPE
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Take time to relax and enjoy the striking panoramic
view from the visitor centre at Far Ings on the Bartonon-Humber. You can see the pits and reedbeds of the
nature reserve, the estuary and Humber Bridge, and
both the Lincolnshire and Yorkshire Wolds. There is a
chance of seeing the iconic birds of Far Ings: bittern,
bearded tit and marsh harrier. Binoculars are provided,
as well as images of many of the birds you may spot.
Interpretive and interactive displays give you an insight
into the natural and social history
of Far Ings.
HULL
M62
DONCASTER
3 Far Ings
5 Blacktoft Sands
On the south bank of the River
Ouse, close to where it widens to meet the
sea, sits this fabulous reserve of tidal reedbed
and open water. Here is the largest tidal
reedbed in England, home to Bitterns, Marsh
Harriers and Bearded tits at one of their most
northerly outposts. 270 species of birds have
been seen here including 50 species of waders.
6 Hatfield Moors
8
Nottinghamshire
Wildlife Trust
Idle Valley
Hatfield Moors is home to a wide range of
habitats which support around 5,000 species
of plants and animals. Join the geocaching
adventure here and enjoy the wildlife which
includes adders, whooper swans, pink-footed
geese and short-eared owls. If you are lucky
enough you may even spot our very special
summer visitors including the diminutive
woodlark and oystercatcher, lapwing, ringed
plover and great crested grebe which can be
spotted around the lakes. 9 Crowle Moors
8 Idle Valley
This large wetland nature reserve in the East
Midlands covers 450 hectares, and is home to a
wide range of bird species, including breeding
waders such as the ringed plover and redshank.
This nature reserve is one
of the richest lowland peat
vegetation areas in the
north of England. Home
to a variety of wildlife such
as large heath butterflies,
long-eared owls, nightjars,
grass snakes and adders.
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