Bird PlacesScottish Wildlife Trust reserve · Montrose, Angus
Montrose Basin birdwatching guide
Montrose Basin is an almost enclosed tidal basin behind the town, and its mudflats hold tens of thousands of pink-footed geese on autumn passage along with large wader and wildfowl flocks. A visitor centre with floor-to-ceiling glass and mounted telescopes looks straight out over the mud, making it one of the most comfortable places in Scotland to watch a big roost.
Key facts
- Habitat
- coastal
- Size
- Not recorded
- Entry fee (adult)
- Not published
- Entry fee (child)
- Not published
- Membership required
- No
- Hides
- Not published
- Wheelchair access
- Not verified
- Car park
- Yes
- Toilets
- Yes
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Status
- open
- Best seasons
- autumn, winter
Species by season
| Season | Species | Likelihood | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| autumn | Curlew (Numenius arquata) | common | — |
| autumn | Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) | common | Tens of thousands stage here in October |
| winter | Eider (Somateria mollissima) | frequent | — |
| winter | Redshank (Tringa totanus) | common | — |
Getting there
Montrose, Angus
View on OpenStreetMap · Official website
Facilities & opening
Opening hours not recorded — check the official website.
Frequently asked questions
When are the geese at Montrose Basin?
Peak pink-footed goose numbers arrive in October, when tens of thousands stage on the basin before dispersing further south.
Explore more
Information last updated 25 July 2026.