UK231
River Spey - Insh Marshes


IBA Justification

The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2007 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('key species') at the site:
Species Red List Season (year/s of estimate) Size IBA criteria
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus LC winter (1990–1995) 135 individuals B3
Greylag Goose Anser anser LC winter (1990–1995) 1,120 individuals B1i, C3
Scottish Crossbill Loxia scotica LC winter (2006) uncommon A1, B2, C1

IBA Conservation

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2007. The most recent assessment (2007) is shown below.

IBA conservation status
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2007 not assessed low high
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes unset good

Pressure (threats to the key species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
No known threats happen­ing now few individ­uals/small area (<10%) no deteri­oration (<1% over 3 gener­ations) low

Response (conservation actions taken for the key species and/or their habitats)
Designation Planning Action Result
Whole area of site (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation A manage­ment plan exists, but it is out of date or not compre­hensive The conservation measures needed for the site are being comprehensively and effectively implemented high

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation (management category) % coverage of IBA
- Insh Marshes RSPB Reserve (-) 59
1963 River Spey - Insh Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) 100
1973 Insh Marshes Nature Reserve (IV) 67
1989 River Feshie Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (III) 2
2003 Cairngorms National Park (V) 100
2003 Insh Marshes National Nature Reserve (IV) 51

Habitats

Habitat % of IBA Habitat detail
Grassland - Humid grasslands
Wetlands (inland) - Standing freshwater; Rivers and streams; Fens, transition mires and springs

Land use

Land use % of IBA
nature conservation and research 80
agriculture 50
fisheries/aquaculture -
tourism/recreation -


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: River Spey - Insh Marshes (United Kingdom). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/river-spey--insh-marshes-iba-united-kingdom on 13/01/2025.