More visitors set to lap up the wildlife at Montrose

AN ANGUS tourist attraction that draws more than 12,000 visitors a year could be welcoming many more people this spring and summer.

From Monday, the Montrose Basin Visitor Centre will increase its opening hours to welcome visitors from 10.30am to 5pm every day.

The viewing window overlooks Montrose Basin Wildlife Reserve – a breeding ground for many migratory species of birds. Binoculars allow visitors to spot the wildlife. The Scottish Wildlife Trust centre also has interactive displays to help children learn about wildlife.

Centre manager Caroline Hendry is hoping the longer opening hours will bring more visitors this season.

Ms Hendry said: “For many wild species, the beginning of March usually marks the start of spring and prompts behavioural changes.

“Birds are making their seasonal migrations and between March and May they arrive at their breeding grounds to hatch and raise their young.

“These activities are enthralling to watch and make it a great time to extend our opening hours to give more people the opportunity to come along and enjoy our wild attractions.

“From March onwards, our events calendar will also begin to ramp up for the warmer seasons.

“We hope local families will come along to enjoy the events we have planned.” The first seasonal arrival expected at the basin is the sandmartin, while this month the last of the pink-footed geese are expected to leave the reserve to return to Greenland and Iceland.

For more information about the visitor centre, visit www.swt.org.uk or call Ms Hendry on 01674 676336.