Regular favourites, the pink-footed geese have now started to arrive at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s (SWT) Montrose Basin Wildlife Reserve just in time for the ever-popular Goose Extravaganza event on Sunday 11 October.  

 

The event celebrates the amazing sight and sounds of a morning flight by pink-footed geese taking off above the Montrose skyline from their roost on the Montrose Basin. Caroline Hendry, Visitor Centre Manager said: “Until you’ve seen the geese for yourself you just don’t appreciate how amazing it is. This natural phenomenon draws people in from far and wide, making a visit to the centre at this time of year particularly worthwhile. If you fancy coming along to the event then my advice would be to book early as places are limited and it regularly sells out.”

 

Upwards of 250,000 geese fly back and forth with the changing seasons with each group having their preferred nesting and wintering sites. Montrose remains a firm favourite, with geese returning to the area each year, and numbers in this location are expected to peak at over 30,000 this season.     

 

The event starts at 6.30 am and is well worth the effort of getting out of bed early. After watching the geese on the reserve, visitors can then return to the visitor centre for porridge, tea and toast. After breakfast, there is the option of a presentation by the Ranger on the winter waterbirds found on the reserve.