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The floodplain naturally floods several times a year, which helps to keep it fertile. The marshes provide secure nesting and feeding sites for large numbers of wading birds and wildfowl. Over 500 pairs of wading birds (such as lapwing, snipe, curlew and redshank), plus hundreds of pairs of waterfowl (including rare species such as goldeneye, wigeon and spotted crake) nest here from April to June. Flooded ground provides the essential conditions for


these birds to survive. Listen out for the mournful echo of a curlew or the persistent ‘pee-wit’ call of a lapwing. It’s also an ideal environment for a range of specialist animals, from otters to minute water life.


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The reserve has one of the most important stands of aspen trees in the country. Although aspen occurs throughout Britain, it’s most common in the north and west of Scotland, and is also found in Shetland and the Hebrides. Aspen is notable for the distinctive way its leaves tremble in the slightest breeze. The leaves of the tree were believed in folklore to tremble continually, so it was also known as the ‘shivering tree’. Aspen can reach a height of 20m, but in most locations


in the Highlands it will only grow to about 10m tall. The tree is important for rare insects, mosses, lichens and fungi. Dead aspen also provides a home for the very rare aspen hoverfly, whose larvae live under the bark.


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This area overlooks Invertromie Farm, and you can see along the length of the floodplain. Cattle, ponies and sheep graze the marsh from spring to autumn to keep the area free from trees and to prevent the marsh from becoming overgrown. The marshes also provide a little grass for hay and other forage cutting in drier areas. The floods return in late summer and force cattle and sheep to higher ground. During the summer months, you might see osprey hunting for fish along the river and over open areas of water.


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Goldeneye have been attracted to nest at Insh Marshes in specially designed boxes put up on trees close to water.


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Redshank like wet grassland. Drainage on farmland has reduced their numbers nationally.


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Aspen wood was once a popular choice for making oars and paddles because it’s light and buoyant.


38 The Nature of Scotland


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