The Nature of Scotland

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1 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. 2 2 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. 3 3 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. 2 Goldeneye have been attracted to nest at Insh Marshes in specially designed boxes put up on trees close to water. 3 Redshank like wet grassland. Drainage on farmland has reduced their numbers nationally. 4 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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Page 1: Scottish Natural Heritage Summer 20
Page 4 and 5: Credits The Nature of Scotland The
Page 6 and 7: Summer Wild calendar Kenny Taylor g
Page 8 and 9: A bunny runs through it Mammal watc
Page 10 and 11: The great big paddle 1 Work has beg
Page 12 and 13: Celebrating 100,000 awards There ha
Page 14 and 15: Journey of discovery The John Muir
Page 16 and 17: 1 14 The Nature of Scotland
Page 18 and 19: NEWS Positive and negative Beaver a
Page 20 and 21: NEWS ‘Operation Caesar’ launche
Page 22 and 23: Dualchas coitcheann Common heritage
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Page 26 and 27: Organised by SNH and partners, the
Page 28 and 29: A recent research study looked at p
Page 30 and 31: Welcome to Scotland’s nature 1 1
Page 32 and 33: oakwoods, there was a lot of chat a
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Page 36 and 37: We two are one 34 The Nature of Sco
Page 38 and 39: 36Reserve focus Wetland wonder The
Page 42 and 43: 5 4 Watch out for redstarts and tre
Page 44 and 45: SNH Area News Grampian Corresponden
Page 46 and 47: SNH Area News Northern Isles Corres
Page 48 and 49: Events diary 2010 July Thursday 1 S
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