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 |
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90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation | A management plan exists, but it is out of date or not comprehensive | The conservation measures needed for the site are being comprehensively and effectively implemented | high |
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 |
Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
---|---|---|
Grassland | - | Humid grasslands |
Wetlands (inland) | - | Standing freshwater; Rivers and streams; Fens, transition mires and springs |
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.