Wader scrapes and seasonal water features

Scrapes are shallow ponds of less than 1m depth which hold rain or flood water seasonally and which remain damp for much of the year. They are shallow depressions with gently sloping edges which create obvious water features in fields. They can make a significant difference to wildlife and can be created in areas of damp or floodplain grassland, arable reversion or set aside land. A wader scrape on your land can provide invaluable food and refuges for a wide range of wetland wildlife including breeding wading birds.

Wader scrapes are a form of temporary pond. Temporary ponds and 'splash flooding' can be as important for wildlife as permanent water or ponds. Even a puddle is a temporary pond, and these seasonal freshwater habitats can support a unique and specialist range of wildlife.

If you think you would like to create a Wader scrape then click here for our advisory leaflet.