The Trust has today announced that the record-breaking number of pink-footed geese at its Montrose Basin Wildlife Reserve has again increased. Last week, 70,153 geese were recorded at Montrose Basin, beating the previous record of 65,060 set in 2010. However, that number has now risen to 78,970.

The latest count, which took place on Sunday 19 October, was part of the Icelandic-breeding 'Goose Census', a coordinated effort to assess the number of pink-footed geese and Icelandic greylag geese in the world. During this survey, pink-footed geese counts are undertaken at over 120 sites across the UK, Ireland, the Faroe Islands and Norway. The results are published in the springtime. Ten volunteers took part in this latest count, ensuring the accuracy of the numbers.

On average, 60,000 pink-footed geese descend on Montrose Basin each year, where they spend the winter months after making a colossal 1,200km migration from Greenland and Iceland. Around 372,000 pink-footed geese spend the winter in the UK, thought to be around 90% of the world's population.

The Trust's Reserve Manager for the North East, Rab Potter, said: “The number of pink-footed geese at Montrose Basin this year has taken all of us by surprise. Currently, pink-footed geese outnumber people in Montrose by almost seven to one!

“The Scottish Wildlife Trust would recommend that anyone who has yet to see – and hear – the pink-footed geese do so as soon as possible. At the moment, there are pink-footed geese on Montrose Basin at all times of the day, which is a great opportunity for visitors, but it is very difficult to know how long they will stay in these numbers.“

There are plenty of opportunities for members of the public to see the birds, although dawn is the optimum viewing time. Until the end of October, Montrose Basin Visitor Centre is open daily from 10.30am to 5pm.