Lower March

Lake, Pool, Pond, Freshwater Marsh in Morayshire

Scotland

Lower March

I'm telling you it's Spring!! Scooby bursts from the daffodils by the banks of the Spey. — I'm telling you it's Spring!! Credit: Des Colhoun

Lower March is a small freshwater marsh located in Morayshire, Scotland. It is a serene and picturesque area, encompassing a lake, pool, and pond, making it an ideal habitat for various aquatic species and waterfowl.

The main feature of Lower March is its lake, which spans a considerable area and is surrounded by lush vegetation. The lake is fed by freshwater streams and springs, ensuring a constant flow of clean water. Its calm and clear waters create a tranquil environment, attracting a diverse range of aquatic life, including fish, frogs, and water insects.

Adjacent to the lake is a smaller pool, which serves as a breeding ground for many amphibians, such as newts and toads. The pool is characterized by shallow, still waters and an abundance of aquatic plants, providing an ideal habitat for their growth and reproduction.

A pond is also present in Lower March, offering a different ecosystem within the marsh. The pond is shallower than the lake and pool, with a dense cover of floating plants and lilies. It serves as a haven for various species of water birds, including ducks, geese, and swans, who find food and shelter within its calm waters.

The freshwater marsh surrounding these water bodies is characterized by wet, marshy ground and vegetation such as cattails, reeds, and sedges. This marshland provides a rich feeding ground for many bird species, including herons and egrets, which can often be observed wading in search of small fish and insects.

Overall, Lower March in Morayshire is a diverse and vibrant ecosystem, providing a haven for numerous aquatic species and offering a tranquil and picturesque setting for nature enthusiasts to explore and enjoy.

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Lower March Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.588154/-3.1179307 or Grid Reference NJ3355. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

I'm telling you it's Spring!!

Scooby bursts from the daffodils by the banks of the Spey.

Des Colhoun

The lane leading to Beat 4 of the "Brae Water"

The trees and grasses by Ordiquish await the arrival of Spring: it's just around the corner.

Des Colhoun

The waters leading into Lower Allt Dearg

It's the 11th of February today, the first day of the 2013 salmon fishing season on the mighty River Spey. Note the red sandstone river bank to the left in the distance.

Des Colhoun

Opening day on the Brae Water beat Four

The salmon fishing season on the Spey starts today and there's been a good turn out of anglers on the Brae Water beats. Springtime fishing is not for the faint-hearted generally offering limb crippling water temperatures and a dearth of fish. These are typical Spey fishing boats which you see here in the Lower Allt Dearg pool of Beat Four.

Des Colhoun

Spey boats lying in Lower Allt Dearg

The boats are used not only to transport fishers to the other bank but offer a platform for the aged or infirm who can fish from them whilst seated while the ghillie feeds the boat downstream on an anchored rope.

Des Colhoun

Anything doing?

Not yet. It's been a strange opening day on Beat 4. There was not a single fish spotted and fishing with a brass tube fly on a sinking tip there's not a lot the angler can try next.

Des Colhoun

Minor road near Ordiquish

Steven Brown

Minor road near Ordiquish

Steven Brown

Minor road near Ordiquish

Steven Brown

Track into Wood of Ordiequish

Steven Brown

Minor road near Cairnty

Steven Brown

River Spey at Ordiequish

A little way downstream of the Earth Pillars, looking downstream to the meander.

Anne Burgess

Angling Management

The large boulders have been placed along the bank of the river to inhibit erosion and improve the fishing by creating more lies for the salmon.

Anne Burgess

How did they get there?

There is a substantial pile-up of tree trunks on the right bank of the Spey at Ordiequish. I can't decide whether I think they were put there (and if so why, how and by whom?) or whether they have been washed in and dumped by a spate (in which case why are they all neatly parallel?) The brushwood at the bottom of the photo has clearly been washed in the last time the river overtopped the bank.

Anne Burgess

Obstruction on the Track

It's some time since this tree fell across the track to the river bank, but as yet no attempt has been made to clear it. It doesn't matter if you're on foot, but if anyone wants to get a vehicle in it would be a problem.

Anne Burgess

Artificial Groyne

If you thought these stones didn't look natural, you're right. They have been placed here as part of the management of the river for angling, though the water level will need to be a foot or so higher if they are going to do any good. There's a fishing hut among the trees to the left of the end of the groyne, where the short grass comes down to the edge of the river shingle. It doesn't show up well because it's in the shade, and it was too windy to sit and wait for the sun to come round and illuminate it.

Anne Burgess

Fishing Coble

This boat is similar to the boats used by the crews who used to net salmon in the lower reaches of the river, but perhaps a little smaller. It is provided for use by anglers. See NJ3357 : Spey boats lying in Lower Allt Dearg.

Anne Burgess

River Spey

The river is continually eating away at the unstable till at Tofthead, though there have been no more major falls since NJ3457 : Landslip at Tofthead.

Anne Burgess

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Lower March is located at Grid Ref: NJ3355 (Lat: 57.588154, Lng: -3.1179307)

Unitary Authority: Moray

Police Authority: North East