Montrose Basin Wildlife Reserve And Visitor Centre
About Montrose Basin Wildlife Reserve And Visitor Centre
A Scottish Wildlife Trust owned Local Nature Reserve. Situated in the North of Angus, Montrose Basin is of international importance for migrating birds.
Montrose Basin Wildlife Reserve And Visitor Centre Description
Montrose Basin Wildlife Reserve is an enclosed tidal estuary of the river South Esk, covering 750 Hectares on the edge of the Angus town of Montrose. The Reserve provides the ideal habitat for over 200 different species of birds throughout the year.
In autumn and winter we are visited by over 60, 000 Pink Footed Geese as they make their annual migration south from Iceland and Greenland. In addition the reserve hosts a great variety of ducks and wading species including Eider, Wigeon, Pintail, Oystercatchers, Lapwing and Greenshanks.
Spring and summer sees the return of our breeding species from Africa. On a daily basis Ospreys can be seen fishing at low tide, Sand Martins can be watched flying in and out of our nesting wall and Swallows fly to and from their nests in the eaves of the Visitor Centre. Our specially constructed tern raft, providing nesting space for up to 100 Common Terns, can also be viewed from the centre.
Our 4* rated Visitor Centre is the ideal place to take in the spectacular views across the reserve and try to spot many of our iconic bird species. The centre includes telescopes, binoculars and live camera streams to help you explore the Basin, interpretation and interactive panels to help you learn more about the reserve and an activity area to help keep the children entertained. You can also enjoy a hot drink and snack from our café or browse the range of wildlife gifts available in our shop.
There are also walks and bird hides situated around the reserve, giving you the ideal opportunity to explore and get closer to the wildlife. Details of the walks can be found on our reserve leaflet, or just drop into the centre to speak to a member of staff.
The Visitor Centre and Ranger teams run a variety of events throughout the year, aimed at children, adults and families. These events include early morning walks to see the spectacle of up to 60, 000 Pink Footed Geese, fun days where the whole family can take part in a range of craft activities and ranger led practical volunteer days allowing you to get stuck in and find out about the jobs we do to maintain the reserve. Full details of our upcoming events can be found here; http://scottishwildlifetrust.org. uk /visit /visitor-centres /montrose-basin /
The visitor centre is open 10. 30am - 5pm 7 days a week from the 1st of March until 31st October and 10. 30am - 4pm Fri, Sat and Sun from 1st November until 28th February.
Admission prices are as follows;
Adult £4. 50
Concession £3. 50
Child £1
Family (2 adults, 2 children) £8. 50
SWT Members Free
Reviews
Did you manage to catch the Montrose Basin segment on BBC Radio Scotland Out of Doors this morning? It was towards the end of the episode - about an hour in.
You can still listen to it on catch-up: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00018q m
Listen to hear more about the hoopoe, but also our much more regular sightings of kingfishers and various ducks and waders. The interview really makes it clear that winter is one of the best times to visit the reserve!
If you're an early bird, it'll be worth listening to tomorrow morning's BBC Radio Scotland Out of Doors. Some time between 6.30am and 8am, the Montrose Basin Ranger will be on talking about the recent Hoopoe visit, and what other kinds of exciting wildlife you're *much more likely* to see on the reserve at this time of year!
It will be available on catch-up for those of you that aren't so keen on being up before sunrise on Saturday mornings.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00018qm
This may be hard to believe, but for the past few days (or more!) there has been a Hoopoe at Rossie Island, just by the Montrose Basin. #BasinBiodiversity⁉️
Here are some photos sent into us by Ron Mitchell. It's now confirmed that this Hoopoe recording is a *first* for the reserve! Have a read of the latest Scottish Wildlife Trust news post: https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/…/ rare-hoopoe-spotted…/
Our visitor centre will be open 10:30am-4pm, Friday to Monday, so please pop in and we'll very happily give you directions to where the Hoopoe has been.
Can you spot the kingfisher? 🔍
If you're coming to our visitor centre, it's always a good idea to keep an eye out for wildlife before you even enter the building! A flock of brambling were spotted in the visitor centre car park this morning. #BasinBiodiversity
We just saw a flock of at least 1000 golden plover way on the other side of the Basin - we could only really make out a mass of shimmering birds, but look how stunning they are close up! ✨
We very rarely see red squirrels from our visitor centre, but we like to stay positive and have a squirrel feeder available for them anyway.
A lot of our bird visitors have worked out how to squeeze in though - here's a tree sparrow enjoying its bounty of peanuts! #BasinBiodiversity
This Thursday (8th November) is our next Wildlife Watch meeting! The theme this month is 'Twilight Extravaganza!' which will involve sparklers and a bat trail. Remember to bring a torch and gloves and wrap up warm! As usual, the meeting time is 6.30pm-8pm at the visitor centre.
Our Wildlife Watch meetings take place once a month, usually on the first Thursday of each month. It's a fun, rewarding thing to get involved in for 6-12 year olds who enjoy learning about nature. 🍂🦇
We now have an exciting new exhibition available for viewing at the Montrose Basin visitor centre - a screen display of the 2017 Scottish Nature Photography and Video Awards. You can find more information here on the Scottish Nature Photography Awards website: https://scottishnaturephotographyawards.c om/2017exhibition.…
Below is the winning entry and winner of the Scottish Landscape - The Land category: Autumnal Birches and Willows reflected among the Water Lilies of Polney Loch, Dunkeld, Perthshire, taken by photographer Stephen Whitehorne. All of the entries on display show the wonderful diversity and beauty of Scotland and its wildlife.
© Stephen Whitehorne
🚨 Waxwing alert! 🚨
We haven't had any waxwing sightings from the visitor centre yet, but just over a dozen waxwings have been sighted today in Montrose feeding on rowan berries! They're just beginning to arrive from Scandinavia and are often first sighted on the east coast of Scotland. Thank you very much to Ron Mitchell for sending these striking photos through so quickly.
Has anyone else been lucky enough to see a waxwing yet?
This weekend is the Wader Quest World Wader Watch! Every year on the first weekend of November, people around the world are asked to count waders in order to raise awareness of wader conservation.
Why not come and help out the staff and volunteers at the Montrose Basin Visitor Centre? We'll be open all weekend, 10.30am-4pm.
Visitor centre admission charges apply.
A reminder that as of tomorrow, November 1st, the Montrose Basin Visitor Centre will be going onto its 'winter hours'! This means that instead of being open every day, we'll be open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, 10.30am-4pm. We will be back onto our usual hours from Feburary 11th 2019.
While the visitor centre may be closed outside of these hours, our walks and hides are always open. Look here for a handy map and information on how best to access them: http://www....montrosebasin.org.uk/reserv e.php
Winter is often the best time of year for kingfisher sightings at the visitor centre, so why not schedule in a few visits?
📸 Ron Mitchell
See More
One of our rowan trees is proving popular with all sorts of birds at the moment - yesterday we spotted bullfinches, long-tailed tits, a great spotted woodpecker, and a redwing enjoying the berries and insects on it at various points throughout the day!
This redwing was having a little trouble eating the particularly big rowan berries.
Our resident female kingfisher has been showing really well today! We hadn't seen her for around a week, but this morning she was doing a lot of fishing in the ponds out front. Some dives were more successful than others...
The weather has definitely taken a wintry turn these past few days, and with it, we've been spotting a lot more 'winter' bird visitors!
We saw a small flock of Redwing from the visitor centre windows today, and these Brambling (pictured below) were seen feeding on beech nuts at the Lurgies this morning. Has anyone else had any exciting wintering bird sightings recently? #BasinBiodiversity
📸 Ron Mitchell
Wonderful amenities for bird and seal watching plus informative and helpful staff and volunteers.
We spent this evening watching 70,000+ pink footed geese come home to roost, what an amazing experience. We will definitely be back again.
We go as often as we can as the centre is fantastic - the staff and volunteers are so knowledgeable and they have contributed so much to my love of bird watching and nature. It is a magical place and there is something for all ages - they are just so patient with kids using the scopes, there is plenty for the kids to do and an amazing experience awaits all Hopefuly we can visit again soon
Very informative centre with great viewing with use of centres binoculars and telescopes. Friendly helpful staff ...
Totally amazing session learning about ‘clever camouflage’ with the kids this morning. The teachers were very organised and enthusiastic. Brilliant range of activities for the kids to take part in and learn from. Thanks also for the quick and extremely appreciated first aid assistance after my little one fell. We’ll definitely be back
This place is great had a great time looking through the telescopes at all the great views and spotting all the different wildlife I wasn't very good at telling what bird was what �� but the staff were very helpful and friendly.
Thank you very much to all staff involved at Montrose Basin Wildlife Centre! Primary three children at Rosemount thoroughly enjoyed pond dipping and mud walking
Thank you for today. We loved the wildlife detective event! Such a great way for children to learn. Will look out for future events.
Thank you for a very interesting and informative 2 hours at the Centre for Gaggle about Geese. Every Autumn we love it when the Geese arrive locally and we now know why the Basin area is ideal for them. (The cuppa & cake were much appreciated too)
Staff are so friendly and helpful Would highly recommend if you like bird watching. Lots of activities for the kids to do
Ive passed from the railway bridge many a time and cant believe Ive not come in. Facilities and equipment are first class and to see the ospreys has been amazing. Many different species to see, seals basking. Thoroughly enjoyed each time Ive used it. Staff are so helpful and very knowledgable. Bring a piece cause you'll be there a while
I have entered this magical place only through the miracle of the internet, discovered when writing a novel set on the Montrose Promontory/Scurdie Ness (HUNTER'S POINT). You do a great job of keeping the wildlife proteted, educating the public, and showing its beauty to the world at large. Thanks, all of you! ~Bonita aka Erin O'Quinn from Texas, USA
Had a lovely visit to the centre yesterday. Very welcoming staff who pointed out what was put on the basin and were available to answer any questions we had. Saw lots and really enjoyed ourselves.
Great setting, helpful staff recommend this for small private hire thanks to all involved
Fantastic place to view birds and seals as well as the lovely view
Embarrassing to admit with this being on our doorstep and having never been! What a fantastic morning with my 5 and 3 year old boys. So much to do for them and the staff were all lovely, helpful ;making us very welcome. Will certainly be going back soon
Definitely worth a visit. Great wildlife and facilities in the surrounding area
A hidden gem. Fascinating place with lots to see. Impressed with the knowledge of the people who work there. They took time to talk to my six year old about the Types of birds we saw. Highly recommended. Xx
Had a lovely visit here on 8th August with my dad. We got lots of information from the well informed staff and volunteers. We saw a male kingfisher, sand martins, grey herons, Canada geese and lots of lapwings! You can also have a drink and a snack with a view onto the basin!
We'll be back.