montroseb
Montrose Basin
NO 690 580 O.S. Sheet 54
Overview
Montrose Basin is the finest of the few enclosed river basins on the east coast of Scotland.
Its extensive tidal mudflats and creeks provide a rich feeding ground for large flocks of wintering wildfowl, especially geese and waders.
Montrose Basin is the finest of only a handful of enclosed river basins along the East Coast of Scotland and one of the very few virtually untouched by industrial development or pollution. Its mudflats and creeks provide a rich feeding ground for thousands of waders and wildfowl. Viewing from the hides is best around high tide, when most of the birds gather at the west side of the reserve.
The Basin fills twice daily as the sea pours in through the narrow opening between the harbour and Rossie Island. Many forms of aquatic life inhabit the tidal mudflats, among them estuarine shellfish, worms and shrimps, all of which are able to cope with sudden changes in salinity and with fluctuating water levels. When the tide is out they protect themselves against drying out by either burrowing beneath the mud or closing valves in their shells.
Wildlife
For seven months of the year, from late summer to spring, vast numbers of birds are present. Each species reaches its maximum at a different time - for example, curlew peak in August and dunlin in February. Up to 12,000 pink- footed geese and around 2,000 greylags roost on the Basin after spending the daylight hours feeding over nearby farmland; pinkfoot numbers have increased dramatically since the reserve was established.
Montrose Basin is of national importance for moulting and wintering mute swans and is visited by large numbers of wigeon, eider and shelduck, and smaller numbers of mallard, teal, pintail and red-breasted merganser. Most of the waders feed over the mud and around the pools and creeks, but the oystercatchers spend most of their time on the mussel beds near the south-east corner. In winter the birds need protection from disturbance so that they can feed as long as tidal conditions permit and so that heat loss due to unnecessary movement is minimised during periods of intense cold.
Conservation
In 1981, Montrose Basin was designated a Local Nature Reserve by Angus District Council, and specific bye-laws were introduced to protect the birds and the environment. Wildfowling, a traditional sport on many estuaries, is now controlled by a permit system, with the support of the Local Wildfowlers' Association, and by the creation of a no-shooting sanctuary area. Enforcement of the bye-laws is just one of the duties of the Trust's ranger-naturalist, who liaises closely with other users of the Basin and the North Esk - both commercial and recreational. These include mussel-farmers, anglers, salmon netters, dinghy sailors and wind-surfers.
Access to the Reserve
Montrose Basin lies off the A92, 1 mile west of Montrose. Parking is possible at various points around the basin and at the Montrose Basin Wildlife Centre. There are a number of hides which are open all the time. (Details from Montrose Basin Visitor Centre, Rossie Braes, Montrose. DD10 9TA Tel.No. 01674 676336).
See the Montrose Basin Web Site
for more detailed information.
Montrose Basin is the finest of the few enclosed river basins on the east coast of Scotland.
Its extensive tidal mudflats and creeks provide a rich feeding ground for large flocks of wintering wildfowl, especially geese and waders.
Montrose Basin is the finest of only a handful of enclosed river basins along the East Coast of Scotland and one of the very few virtually untouched by industrial development or pollution. Its mudflats and creeks provide a rich feeding ground for thousands of waders and wildfowl. Viewing from the hides is best around high tide, when most of the birds gather at the west side of the reserve.
The Basin fills twice daily as the sea pours in through the narrow opening between the harbour and Rossie Island. Many forms of aquatic life inhabit the tidal mudflats, among them estuarine shellfish, worms and shrimps, all of which are able to cope with sudden changes in salinity and with fluctuating water levels. When the tide is out they protect themselves against drying out by either burrowing beneath the mud or closing valves in their shells.
Wildlife
For seven months of the year, from late summer to spring, vast numbers of birds are present. Each species reaches its maximum at a different time - for example, curlew peak in August and dunlin in February. Up to 12,000 pink- footed geese and around 2,000 greylags roost on the Basin after spending the daylight hours feeding over nearby farmland; pinkfoot numbers have increased dramatically since the reserve was established.
Montrose Basin is of national importance for moulting and wintering mute swans and is visited by large numbers of wigeon, eider and shelduck, and smaller numbers of mallard, teal, pintail and red-breasted merganser. Most of the waders feed over the mud and around the pools and creeks, but the oystercatchers spend most of their time on the mussel beds near the south-east corner. In winter the birds need protection from disturbance so that they can feed as long as tidal conditions permit and so that heat loss due to unnecessary movement is minimised during periods of intense cold.
Conservation
In 1981, Montrose Basin was designated a Local Nature Reserve by Angus District Council, and specific bye-laws were introduced to protect the birds and the environment. Wildfowling, a traditional sport on many estuaries, is now controlled by a permit system, with the support of the Local Wildfowlers' Association, and by the creation of a no-shooting sanctuary area. Enforcement of the bye-laws is just one of the duties of the Trust's ranger-naturalist, who liaises closely with other users of the Basin and the North Esk - both commercial and recreational. These include mussel-farmers, anglers, salmon netters, dinghy sailors and wind-surfers.
Please do not disturb the birds as they roost at the water's edge.
Montrose Basin lies off the A92, 1 mile west of Montrose. Parking is possible at various points around the basin and at the Montrose Basin Wildlife Centre. There are a number of hides which are open all the time. (Details from Montrose Basin Visitor Centre, Rossie Braes, Montrose. DD10 9TA Tel.No. 01674 676336).
The Scottish Wildlife Trust is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland (registered number SC040247), having its registered office at Harbourside House, 110 Commercial Street, Edinburgh EH6 6NF. It is also a Scottish registered charity (charity number SC005792).
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