Our breeding waders, especially lapwing, redshank, curlew and snipe, are in catastrophic decline.
RSPB Insh Marshes has put in place a regular programme for cutting back rank, overgrown vegetation and reducing scrub. However, nature reserves cannot flourish in isolation. It’s doubly important when the future threats posed by climate change to our existing wet grasslands and wetlands are factored in.
Through our advisory service and Futurescapes, we work with local farmers on grazing plans and management. The Strathspey Wetland and Wader Initiative (SWWI), in which the RSPB and Cairngorms Futurescape is a partner, identified a need in Badenoch and Strathspey to enable the management of rush for the benefit of farmland waders as well as farming.
The rush topper was purchased by the Cairngorms National Park Authority, and the free loan to farmers is co-ordinated through the Futurescape programme. The topper has been in action across five farms since the end of this breeding season so far, and across the landscape this is delivering better habitat for waders, and better grazing land for farmers: a win-win. Every little bit of rush management adds up to a landscape-scale benefit.
Here is the topper in action on Insh Marshes reserve with one of our star volunteers, David Mason who has just earned himself a President's Award!