Site description The Insh marshes form the largest single-unit flood-plain mire of the poor-fen type in Britain. They are also the most northerly, the site lying within the flat valley floor of the River Spey between Kincraig and Kingussie. The IBA supports diverse breeding and wintering bird communities.
Populations of IBA trigger species
Protected areas
| Protected area |
Designation |
Area (ha) |
Relationship with IBA |
Overlap with IBA (ha) |
|
| Cairngorms |
National Park |
0 |
protected area contains site |
1,155 |
|
| Insh Marshes |
Habitats Directive |
1,159 |
is identical to site |
1,155 |
|
| Insh Marshes |
National Nature Reserve |
0 |
protected area overlaps with site |
594 |
|
| Insh Marshes |
RSPB Reserve |
822 |
protected area overlaps with site |
685 |
|
| River Spey - Insh Marshes |
Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar) |
1,159 |
is identical to site |
1,155 |
|
| River Spey Insh Marshes |
Birds Directive |
1,160 |
is identical to site |
1,155 |
|
| River Spey Insh Marshes |
Site of Special Scientific Interest |
1,176 |
is identical to site |
1,155 |
|
Habitats
| IUCN habitat |
Habitat detail |
Extent (% of site) |
| Grassland |
Humid grasslands |
- |
| Wetlands (inland) |
Fens, transition mires and springs; Rivers and streams; Standing freshwater |
- |
Land use
| Land-use |
Extent (% of site) |
| agriculture |
50% |
| nature conservation and research |
80% |
| fisheries/aquaculture |
- |
| tourism/recreation |
- |
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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: River Spey - Insh Marshes. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 20/06/2013
To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife
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