Montrose Basin is an enclosed estuary of the South Esk and covers 750 hectares. A daily tidal cycle brings in a rich soup of nutrients that attracts over 50,000 migratory birds each year.

The enclosed tidal basin has a variety of habitats within it from exposed tidal mudflats to saltmarsh, reedbed and fen and its surrounded by arable farmland and pasture. The section of the basin at Maryton is an important site for the study of the sea level fluctuations following the end of the last glaciation. The SPA includes the small, eutrophic freshwater loch called Dun's Dish. The basin contains the largest area of saltmarsh in Angus.

High-powered telescopes in the wildlife centre provide magnificent opportunities to view wildlife. Three television cameras bring the wildlife literally into the centre.

The reserve attracts pink-footed geese from Iceland and Greenland, common eels swimming across the Atlantic from the Sargasso Sea, knots on their way from Siberia to West Africa, salmon travelling thousands of miles from Arctic Canada and Greenland and sedge warblers which return to the Basin in late spring after wintering in West Africa

Main picture: Montrose Basin by tormentor4555

We highly recommend the publications below to compliment your visit to this Region.

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