Continuing our series on the woodpeckers of Crosswinds Marsh.... Woodpeckers are part of the family Picidae, a group of tree-dwelling birds that also consist of wrynecks, and sapsuckers. Most species live in forests or woodland habitats. Woodpeckers have strong bills for drilling and drumming on trees and long sticky tongues for extracting food. The bill's chisel-like tip is kept sharp by the pecking action in birds that regularly use it on wood.
Woody Woodpecker
Woody Woodpecker is an animated woodpecker who appeared in theatrical short films produced by the Walter Lantz animation studio and distributed by Universal Pictures during the Golden age of American animation. Though not the first of the screwball characters that became popular in the 1930s and 1940s, Woody is one of the most indicative of the type
Size & Shape
Woody Woodpecker is a fairly large woodpecker with a slim, rounded head.
Color Pattern
Woody appears blueish overall, with a white underside that is conspicuous in flight and often visible when walking or perched. A bright red plume adorns his head, and he has green eyes and orange feet.
Behavior
Woody spend lots of time on the ground, and possesses high energy, quirkiness, looniness, and a demented nature merged with hints of the wiseacre attitude.
Habitat
Look for Woody in open habitats near trees, including woodlands, as well as yards, parks, and cities.
The Cache is a medium sized lock & lock hidden along the Woodpecker Loop Trail in the typical fashion. As always, please use stealth and return the cache to it's original location.
Crosswinds Marsh is one of the largest man-made wetlands in the country. It was built to replace the wetlands that were paved over to expand Wayne County's Detroit Metro Airport (the McNamara terminal). Wayne County, together with Sumpter Township, purchased over 900 acres of farmland that believe it or not, was once wetland that had been converted into farm fields by draining the land...in a process that took over a year. They flooded former farm fields, planted new wetland plants and transplanted endangered species from metro Airport. The area is managed by the Wayne County Parks.
Remember, this is a marsh....If you are intending to hunt for the caches or explore the trails, please come prepared with boots/old shoes (not sandals or flip-flops), long pants, and insect repellent. This time of year in the woods of South Eastern Michigan there is poison ivy, ticks and mosquitoes a plenty! Due to the changing seasons in Michigan, the D/T may vary at different times of the year.
Crosswinds Marsh Rules
No fires
No bikes / ATVs / personal watercraft
No swimming or ice fishing
Dogs must be leashed
No alcohol or illegal substances
No camping
Fishing in designated areas only
Collecting of plants & animals prohibited
Park only at N 42 05.744 W 83 26.552
All Geocachers must follow the above rules.
Crosswinds Marsh is open from DAWN to DUSK. Admission is free.
The Crosswinds Cache Crew pledge to develop and maintain quality and interesting geocaches in the Marsh consistent with Geocaching and Wayne County Parks rules and permit process. For more information on the Cache Crew and our endeavors, please visit us on the web at http://www.crosswindscaching.com and on social media.
This cache has been placed with the permissions of Wayne County Parks. Permit MM18-31 has been submitted and is on file at the park office.