Reserves: Backsand Scrape
Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust (SBBOT)
Backsand Scrape is an area leased by SBBOT from Mr. Hulme of New Downs Farm, and constructed using funds from a legacy from Mrs.Hyatt.
Deep and shallow water surround three islands, one small, round and easily accessible to wildfowl, a second larger and squarer, safer for nesting and the third star-shaped and covered in pea shingle for nesting. It is surrounded by a 10m apron and an outside bank. There are two observation hides - the Shirlaw Hide to the north and Geoff's Hide on the south side.
| Click image to enlarge (will open in a separate window) | |||
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Oystercatcher | Spotted Redshank | Avocet | Dunlin |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Blacktalied Godwit | Wood Sandpipper | Temmincks Stint | Black Tailed Godwit |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Dunlin | Pectoral Sandpiper | Green Sandpipper | Wood Sandpiper |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Blacktalied Godwit | Little Egret | Common Sandpipper | Common Sandpipper |
Due to the costs of maintenance and the lease, access is restricted to members of SBBOT only.
The scrape is some half-hour's walk from the permitted parking area and at present there are no agreements for any other access (other than essential maintenance work).
One particularly successful aspect is the breeding bird population, including species such as Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Ruddy Duck, Gadwall, Redshank and Oystercatcher.
This scrape is used by particularly large numbers of passage waders in autumn: Common Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Lapwing and Greenshank use this safe refuge at high tide. It is an excellent site to get close views of some hard-to-watch species of wader.
Many rare waders have been found here including Baird's Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper plus Red-necked Phalarope.
