Marshes RSPB reserve

Badenoch and Strathspey farmed floodplains

An amazing place for people Our work so far and for wildlife We’ve been working hard to preserve Situated between the Cairngorm and our core reserve at the heart of this Monadhliath mountain ranges, the Futurescape, RSPB , as a and Strathspey Farmed sanctuary for nature. It covers around Floodplain Futurescape is one of nature’s 1,000 hectares of the Spey floodplain gems. The Gaelic place names capture between and , and its the essence of the landscape: Strathspey unique wetland habitats contain many is from srath, which means “valley rare and endangered species, including through which a river runs”; Badenoch is over 500 pairs of breeding waders. from bàideanach, “the drowned place”. Conserving these habitats involves considerable effort countering the natural For hundreds of years, people have fertility of the land. We’ve put in place a Lapwing been trying to tame the in regular programme for cutting back rank, order to farm the fertile floodplain. Where overgrown vegetation and reducing scrub they have been successful, the low-lying cover, and we work with local farmers on Waders need fields and meadows are still liable to grazing plans and management. our wetlands flood, especially in winter; elsewhere, fens and marshes are criss-crossed by But nature cannot flourish in isolation, There’s been an alarming decline tributaries of the river. The result is a and we must extend our focus into the in some very important wading wonderfully varied and extensive mosaic wider countryside. It’s doubly important birds here – notably lapwings, of arable land, grassland and wetland when the future threats posed to our snipe, redshanks and curlews. We habitats capable of supporting a rich existing wetlands by climate change are know this for a fact, because we diversity of wildlife. This is one of the factored in. The challenge is to maintain count them! Our Strathspey Wader most important inland sites in Britain for productive, viable livelihoods for farmers Survey takes place every five years. breeding wading birds. while also preserving a home for nature. It tells us that, for example, lapwing numbers declined by 60% between But species numbers are falling fast here We have been working in partnership 2000 and 2010, and redshanks by (see far right), and it’s likely that human with farmers, landowners and farm 55%. For sustainable populations of activity is playing a part. Parts of this agents, Scottish Natural Heritage and these birds to survive, maintaining landscape are protected by conservation the Authority. the traditional farmed landscape designations, but if land management Togther, under the banner of the of is practices change outside these protected Strathspey Wetland and Wader Initiative, absolutely vital. Spring-sown crops areas, they will become isolated, and the we’ve helped Scottish Rural Development and grazed wet grassland near interconnectedness of the habitats that is Programme funding applications succeed, the river are not only part of the so critical for birds and other wildlife here provided training and enabled free use of agricultural heritage of this area, but will be lost. It’s essential that nature has rush-cutting machinery. critical habitats for breeding waders. a voice in future plans for the land. Granstown-on-Spey

Tomintoul

Aviemore

KEY main road Futurescape area Special Protection Area Kingussie

Newtonmore

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Badenoch and “ The landscape here has been shaped by generations of farmers. The fertile floodplain provides the best farming in Strathspey, and is Strathspey essential to the local economy. We are proud of the peewits on our farms and concerned with the decline in numbers. The farmed landscape and associated rich wildlife needs help and support to ensure its continued survival.” Ruaridh Ormiston, farmer, Strathspey

What’s next? Get in touch A balanced, integrated response to the We also want to get more partners We want to hear your ideas about needs of both wildlife and people is involved – to build new relationships how we can work together to make fundamental to the Futurescapes vision, with anyone who has a stake in the the Badenoch and Strathsey Farmed and in this area, it is absolutely essential. countryside here, whether you’re Floodplains an even better place, for We plan to continue to work with farmers a farmer, landowner, community people and for wildlife. to maximise agri-environment scheme organisation or individual. You may funding for habitat enhancement work, have an area of land you think could Cairngorms Futurescape Officer but are keen to build on this and explore be enhanced, be looking for advice, Hebe Carus other, long-term sustainable solutions. interested in volunteering, want a T 01540 661518 / 07718 695068 Meanwhile, surveys of the breeding presentation or just to discuss a project RSPB, Ivy Cottage, Insh, wader population will help us to and the possible advantages and Kingussie PH21 1NT understand the reasons for declines in benefits of working together with us. certain species, and gauge the success of positive action taken on the ground.

Futurescapes is the RSPB’s contribution to landscape-scale Natura 2000 – Europe’s Futurescapes is The RSPB is a member conservation throughout the UK nature for you. We are generously supported of BirdLife International, working together across the by the EU Life+ a partnership of conservation All rights reserved. RSPB licence 100021787 The Royal Society EU to safeguard Europe’s rich Communications organisations working to give and diverse natural heritage Programme nature a home around the world for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England for the benefit of all and Wales no. 207076, no. SC037654. Images: Insh Marshes RSPB reserve by Andy Hay and lapwing by Nigel Blake (both rspb-images.com). Maps produced by RSPB CDMU © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. RSPB licence 100021787. 020-1-0935-13-14