Reserves: Backsand Scrape
Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust (SBBOT)
Backsand Scrape:
Backsand Scrape is leased by SBBOT from Mr. Hulme of New Downs Farm and was excavated in 1994. It lies close to the River Stour at Backsand Point and is about a half-hour walk from the permitted parking area - at present assess is limited to SBBOT members.
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 is star-shaped. 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.
Breeding birds regularly include Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Redshank and Oystercatcher, while Ruddy Duck and Shoveler have also bred occasionally.
The scrape is notable for passage waders in autumn. Species that are regularly recorded, particularly at high tide, include Little Ringed Plover, Wood, Common and Green Sandpipers, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Lapwing and Greenshank. It is an excellent site to get close views of some hard-to-watch species and rare waders that have been found here include Baird's Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Red-necked Phalarope.
Below are images of some of the birds to be found on Backsand Scarpe:
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| Oystercatcher | Spotted Redshank | Avocet | Dunlin |
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| Little Egret | Common Sandpiper | Temmincks Stint | Black-tailed Godwit |
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| Dunlin | Pectoral Sandpiper | Green Sandpiper | Wood Sandpiper |
