Badenoch marshes need a torrent of volunteers!
A flood of volunteers is needed to clean up the mess winter’s deluges left in “the drowned land” of Badenoch.
The region’s famous Insh Marshes took a battering which only an army of litter-clearers can repair, says the RSPB’s community engagement officer.
“The race is on to clean up before the breeding season begins,” she told the Strathy this week.
Next Thursday (March 24) will see a major assault on the mess which threatens to make life difficult for the guests at one of the country’s top stop-overs for avian migrants.
From 10am volunteers will be meeting at the Ardvonie car park, behind Kingussie’s Duke of Gordon Hotel.
“We’re inviting everyone to come and join us for a day out on Insh Marshes, doing their bit to save our local wildlife,” said Catherine Vis-Christie.
“The flood waters have brought us piles of litter and we need help to clean up.”
She added: “With tea, coffee and biscuits on hand to keep us going, we will be heading out to the worst affected areas of the reserve.
“It would be advisable to bring a packed lunch, appropriate warm clothing, work gloves and waterproof footwear.”
Already some High School pupils have signed up and the local Wildlife Wombles from Caberfeidh Horizons are expected to lend their considerable energies to preparing the marshes for this year’s callers.
Loch Insh Outdoor Centre has also offered to help and may even be providing a boat to clear rubbish out the Spey.
Said Cat: “During the clear up there are prizes to be won to keep the momentum up, weirdest piece of litter, most useful/recyclable litter found and most litter collected! The more the merrier.”
