PINK-FOOTED geese are gathering at a Scottish wildlife reserve in near-record numbers in a “fantastic spectacle”.

The Montrose Basin wildlife reserve, in Angus, has seen around 84,400 of the birds this week, which represents around one-quarter of the entire UK population.

The most birds ever counted at the reserve is 90,000, which was recorded in October 2016.

This count comes ahead of Sunday’s Icelandic-breeding Goose Census, a coordinated national survey across several locations led by the Wildlife and Wetland Trust.

These pink-footed geese pass through the reserve on their long migration from Iceland and Greenland to wintering sites in England. They roost on the basin overnight, and disperse into surrounding farmland to feed during the day.

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A largely separate population of the geese winters in the Netherlands and Denmark, while spending their summers in Svalbard.

Anna Cowie, Montrose Basin ranger for the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: “Having so many pink-footed geese on the basin shows that we are providing a safe resting place for them after a long journey over the sea. They are also reliant on good breeding grounds in Greenland and Iceland, as well as suitable wintering sites in England.

“This demonstrates the importance of maintaining healthy habitats in several countries for migrating birds.

“It’s hard to describe the noise of the geese on the Basin when they are gathered in such high numbers. They are a fantastic wildlife spectacle and it’s always a little bit sad when they leave.

“They have arrived relatively early this year so we’d expect that their numbers will start to tail off in the next few weeks.

“Even after the geese head south there will still be plenty of birdlife to see on the reserve, from large numbers of wintering shelduck and wigeon to the resident kingfisher which is being spotted regularly from the visitor centre.”

The Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Montrose Basin Visitor Centre is currently open Thursday - Monday, from 10:30am - 5pm. Booking is essential. For tickets go to scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/montrosebasin

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Photos: Peter Barden and Kirsty Wright