March is usually a great time to watch waders and this year has been no exception.  With the usual abundance of redshank and oystercatchers, greenshank, curlew, snipe, bar-tailed and black tailed godwit have also been regularly spotted. 

We’ve also been lucky with the wildfowl.  The male eiders are in full breeding plumage, and both scaup and golden eye have been spotted in the centre of the Basin on the 2^nd and 9^th.  Wigeon and teal have also been observed feeding at the Salt Pans, with the most recent sighting being today. A group of pintail ducks have been seen daily, with as many as 72 individuals, and the long-tailed duck is still making its appearance.  A pair of tufted ducks were also observed on the 12^th.  It’s still possible to see pink-footed geese at the Basin, with around 1,500 being counted on the 11^th.

With the warmer weather the kingfisher has moved back to its spotted at the Old Montrose Pier, being sighted at this spot on the 6^th and 10^th, and the water rail has been spotted twice beside the feeders last week.

On the predator front, a red kite was seen at the Lurgies on the 24^th, a sparrow hawk has been making regular visit to the bird feeders on the 11^th, 22^nd, and 23^rd, and a stoat has been spotted around the sand martin wall and salt pans.

Georgina Bowie, Visitor Centre Assistant