Insh Marshes are an area of floodplain of the River Spey between Kingussie and Kincraig in Badenoch and Strathspey, Highland, Scotland. The marshes are said to be one of the most important wetlands in Europe.[4] They lie at altitude of approximately 240 to 220 m above sea level, and form one of the largest areas of floodplain mire and fen vegetation in Scotland.[5]
The marshes are dominated by sedge plants, with the boreal species string sedge and water sedge being present. The site is one of only two in Britain for string sedge (the other being Loch Naver at Altnaharra). It also supports many other flowering plants including least water-lily, awlwort, cowbane and shady horsetail.[7][8]
Many rare wetland invertebrates can be found at Insh Marshes, including various species of flies, beetles and moths. It is the only site in Britain at which the spider Wabasso replicatus has been identified. Other notable invertebrate species present include the aquatic beetle Donacia aquatica, the fly Tipula marginella, the horse-fly Hybomitra lurida and the snipe-fly Thereva inornata. The birch woodlands above the marshes are home to several moth species, including Rannoch sprawler and cousin german.[8] In October 2014, a species of insect called Molanna angustata, a type of caddisfly that inhabits Wales and England up to the Lake District and Yorkshire was identified here. Genevieve Dalley, a RSPBScotland trainee ecologist discovered and identified two males caught in a moth trap at the marshes near Kingussie: the species had not previously been recorded in Scotland.[9]
Arctic charr spawn along the River Spey and its side-streams, and the area provides an ideal habitat for otter.[8]
