The first pink-footed geese of an expected 50,000 set to descend on the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Montrose Basin Wildlife Reserve and Visitor Centre in Angus have now arrived marking the start of the wintering season for Scotland’s wildlife.
Spotted coming into the Basin last Tuesday (14 September), an initial count showed that 40 fast flyers had made it first to their wintering home. Since then, numbers have already increased to several thousand and goose numbers are expected to continue to increase steadily at Montrose Basin until they reach their peak at the beginning of October.
Staff and volunteers at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Montrose Basin Visitor Centre will now monitor the goose population closely to see if it will reach the same heights as last year when over 50,000 geese could be viewed from the Visitor Centre’s observation window. Staff are also busy preparing for the popular goose breakfasts, which allow visitors to experience the sights and sounds of thousands of geese taking off from the Basin.
Caroline Hendry, Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Visitor Centre Manager, said: “Every year we await our pink-footed geese with great anticipation as their arrival starts a frenzy of activity on the reserve. The sight of up to 50,000 birds in one area is a wonder of Scotland’s natural world and it is not to be missed.
“We will be running two goose breakfasts this year, on 3 and 17 October from 6:30 am, which includes an early morning visit to the reserve with our rangers to enjoy the spectacular sight of our geese taking off to feed in nearby fields, followed by a hearty breakfast in the visitor centre. Booking is essential for these popular events.”
Pink-footed geese nest in Iceland and migrate to Britain in autumn to spend the winter months in a milder climate. They leave Scotland around March or April to return to their Icelandic breeding ground.
Montrose Basin is an internationally important site for wintering pink-footed geese as well as many other wildfowl and waders and the Visitor Centre is a premiere spot for wildlife watchers and bird lovers to experience this fantastic reserve. The Centre offers visitors the chance to enjoy some of the best close-up views of pink-footed geese in the UK.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR INTERVIEWS, PLEASE CONTACT:
Montrose Basin Visitor Centre on 01674 676336
Nicola McGovern, Scottish Wildlife Trust’s PR and Communications Manager
Tel: 0131 312 4742; Mob: 07790 608 264 or email: nmcgovern@swt.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. Press will be notified with a press release and photocall opportunity when the geese population at Montrose Basin reaches its peak. Montrose Basin welcomes filming opportunities for stories relating to geese migration or wading birds. Please contact the PR office with requests.
2. The image attached is free for use in conjunction with this story but must be credited to “Scottish Wildlife Trust”.
3. The Goose Breakfasts will take place on 3 and 17 October from 6.30 am until 9.15 am. Please meet at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Montrose Basin Visitor Centre at Rossie Braes.
4. Advance booking is essential for this very popular event! Tickets at £6.00 per person. To book your place, please call the visitor centre on 01674 676336
5. Please remember to wear warm outdoor clothing.
6. Montrose Basin Visitor Centre can be found on the A92 Montrose to Arbroath road just one mile south of Montrose. Follow the brown signs from the centre of Montrose (OS Sheets 54 – grid ref. NO 700 564). For more information visit www.swt.org.uk
7. The Scottish Wildlife Trust is the largest voluntary body working for all the wildlife of Scotland, representing more than 35,000 members who care for wildlife and the environment. SWT seeks to raise public awareness of threatened habitats and species and manages over 120 reserves Scotland-wide.
8. The Scottish Wildlife Trust receives financial assistance and support from a number of organisations including People’s Postcode Lottery and Scottish Natural Heritage.