In order to attract more wading birds to Nethergill Farm we are digging a ‘scrape’.

 

A scrape is a shallow pond less than 1m in depth which holds water seasonally and remain damp for all the year. They are designed with very gradually sloping edges to enable all types of wildlife to use it safely.

 

Scrapes provide an important seasonal habitat for wetland wildlife supporting high quantities of insects and earthworms and a wide range of plant life benefiting water voles, dragonflies and other insects.

 

Already, one month from the creation of the Nethergill scrape we are seeing signs of activity. The base of the scrape is being populated by seedlings and the Common Sandpipers seem to have taken a liking to the area. Also seen 19 May a pair of Lapwings at the edge of the scrape.