Astroturf

Explorer Tom Montrose Basin fills and empties with the tide like a vast dining room for birds. The River South Esk meets the sea here, leaving mudflats, saltmarsh and shallow water where waders and ducks can feed. In autumn, pink-footed geese arrive in numbers that make a single bird seem almost cheeky. Bring binoculars if you have them; the basin does not need a small audience. The local nature reserve covers about 750 hectares. Its habitats run from fresh water and reedbed to brackish water and tidal mud, which is why so many species find a place. The Scottish Wildlife Trust visitor centre looks across the basin and has telescopes, activities and staff who can tell you where today's birds have settled. Wildlife does not read the timetable, so that local advice is more useful than yesterday's photograph. Paths and hides around the reserve let you explore from several sides. Tayock hide is particularly useful for geese in autumn, while low tide changes what you may spot on the mud. Keep dogs controlled and use the marked routes; a resting flock needs peace more than it needs your close-up picture. The mudflats are working habitat, not a shortcut across the bay. Walking the reserve is free. The visitor centre charges adults, with children entering free, and changes to shorter opening from November into winter. It is about a twenty-five-minute walk from Montrose station, with parking by the centre. Check the day's hours, tides and any weather notices before heading out. If the geese arrive at dusk, let their noise do the talking for once.