Marine Lake Nature & Heritage Trail

Begin at the map outside of the Station. The trail goes around the Lake.
Please follow the Trail to the left (clockwise) to find the answers.
The first one to find is the mural or painting on the wall.

Question 1

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QRBoxx will always be free for small businesses and any other community organisations in a town or city. The platform has been designed to support local information and not profit from small businesses.

How many boats can you see?

There have been many boats used at the Marine lake over the years from row boats in the early days to the big water cute. Then it was boats you could hire as part of the funfair and after. We also now have speed boats with water skiers and the sea cadets.

Now go to the Crab panel on the building wall by the blue benches.

Question 2

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At the crab panel, what is the spongy stuff under the female’s tail?

If you have been crabbing in the lake (you can buy all you need from the railway) you will mostly likely have caught a common shore crab. There are also lots of Jelly fish in the lake which are Moon Jelly fish.

Pass the car park and follow the Trail between the houses and theLake to the next panel.

Question 3

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Name a creature that lives in the “muddy bottom” of the Lake.

The are lots of little creatures that live in the salt water of the lake such as mussels, winkles, clams, shrimps, and eels which provide food for some of the sea birds.

Next is the wildflower sign

Question 4

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These wildflower areas are made to be homes for what?

If you keep careful watch as you walk around the rest of the lake you might see lots of flying friends such as bees and butterflies visiting all the wildflowers. Some of the common butterflies are Brimstone (yellow) Red Admiral (black and red with white blotches) Peacock (which looks like it has four eyes on wing tips).

Walk along the lake to the pair of blue benches and take a seat to look out at the lake and island

Question 5

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What birds can you see?

At different times of the year we have different birds visiting the lake. The Canada Geese have mating pairs that use the island to nest on and you can the see them swimming in the lake in family groups. During the winter when the lake is drained to be cleaned you find more waders.

Continue along the Trail till you can rest on a “boat” then check outthe next panel.

Question 6

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What year was the funfair built?

The funfair was started with a water cute and then over the years many more rides were added with some of them on boarding over the Lake. The railway was added in 1911, making this the oldest miniature railway in the UK. It was on site till 1968 when the fair left and just had over the road. The railway came back in 1979 and has been running most years since.

Visit www.rhylminiaturerailway.co.uk for full info and running days.

Find the wooden carved seat.

Question 7

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How many birds can you see and can you name them?

The lake is home to many different birds throughout the year with magpies seen quite a lot along with all the common british wild birds flying around.

Continue to where the “crab” seats emerge and read the next panel

Question 8

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Which bird flaps their wings like “clapping hands”?

Lapwings are any of various ground-nesting birds akin to plovers and dotterels. They range from 10 to 16 inches in length and are noted for their slow irregular wingbeats in flight and shrill wailing cry. A group of lapwings is called a “deceit”.

Now head back towards the station and look at the map panel withmetal legs by the level crossing

Question 9

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How many rabbits can you count?

If you keep a good look out on your way around the lake mostly on the far side of the lake by the main line you can see lots of rabbits running about and digging holes. Foxes have also been seen around the lake. Can you see any other wildlife?

Upon arriving back at the station look at the map sign by picnic benches.

Question 10

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How many footprints can you see?

Over the years the main entrance, which now has the blue arch way has had many different looks. From a bit plain at the start to very nice building with Pleasure Beach arch over the top. This all changed when the fair left and was once again a very plain entrance until the current blue arch was fitted after Welsh water put in the big tank in 1999.

We hope you enjoyed the Trail.

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Answers

Question 1: 4 Boats

Question 2: Her eggs

Question 3: Mussels, winkles, or clams

Question 4: Bees and butterflies

Question 5: From Cormorant, Oystercatcher, Canada Geese, Dunlin, and of course Sea Gull

Question 6: 1910

Question 7: Robin, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Sparrow, and a Blackbird

Question 8: Lapwings

Question 9: 8 rabbits

Question 10: 8 footprints or 4 pairs