FourRingCircus
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 1,949
- Name
- John
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Just a 'heads-up' for those in the Aberdeen/Angus area who are keen to see a Kingfisher.
Very recently, the Scottish Wildlife Trust site at Montrose Basin have 'invested' in a few perches on their marshland vista which can be easily and comfortably viewed from their main building on the south side of the Montrose Basin off the A92 (Arbroath-Montrose road). Look for the brown 'wildlife reserve' signpost just after you come into the 40mph zone when approaching from the south, or the same signpost once you come south out of Montrose (under the railway viaduct) if coming from the north. The car-park is immediately off the road and the main reception is immediately off the car-park. Disables facilities are there too, so even the less able-bodied can be watching a kingfisher in warm comfort a few yards from their cars.
An hour or two at this establishment will almost guarantee you sight of at least one kingfisher (or more likely two or three birds - often at the same time!). Beyond this, there are usually about 50,000 geese / waders here at this time of year and they have also been known to see the occasional sea eagle here too. There is a good selection of garden birds too with a daily throng of goldfinches, siskins, and all manner of tits.
Members access is free and I believe the entry cost for non-members is about £4. If you are not inclined to dig into the pockets for this, they have a small separate hide accessed from east side of the car park with no charge for entry. It's a very short walk with some slightly difficult steps down to a 'normal' hide, so it's not the choice for anyone with mobility issues. The best (closest) kingfisher view can be had from there, but it is a less frequent visitor to that area of the marsh than it is from the main hide.
There is a small cafe area back in the main hide and there are the usual toilet facilities too, so you can sit with your coffee (& cake) and watch them to your hearts content.
When it comes to seeing a kingfisher in this neck of the woods, it's almost too easy here and it's (currently) a far more regular sight than the one at Martin Mere's Ron Barker hide!
Very recently, the Scottish Wildlife Trust site at Montrose Basin have 'invested' in a few perches on their marshland vista which can be easily and comfortably viewed from their main building on the south side of the Montrose Basin off the A92 (Arbroath-Montrose road). Look for the brown 'wildlife reserve' signpost just after you come into the 40mph zone when approaching from the south, or the same signpost once you come south out of Montrose (under the railway viaduct) if coming from the north. The car-park is immediately off the road and the main reception is immediately off the car-park. Disables facilities are there too, so even the less able-bodied can be watching a kingfisher in warm comfort a few yards from their cars.
An hour or two at this establishment will almost guarantee you sight of at least one kingfisher (or more likely two or three birds - often at the same time!). Beyond this, there are usually about 50,000 geese / waders here at this time of year and they have also been known to see the occasional sea eagle here too. There is a good selection of garden birds too with a daily throng of goldfinches, siskins, and all manner of tits.
Members access is free and I believe the entry cost for non-members is about £4. If you are not inclined to dig into the pockets for this, they have a small separate hide accessed from east side of the car park with no charge for entry. It's a very short walk with some slightly difficult steps down to a 'normal' hide, so it's not the choice for anyone with mobility issues. The best (closest) kingfisher view can be had from there, but it is a less frequent visitor to that area of the marsh than it is from the main hide.
There is a small cafe area back in the main hide and there are the usual toilet facilities too, so you can sit with your coffee (& cake) and watch them to your hearts content.
When it comes to seeing a kingfisher in this neck of the woods, it's almost too easy here and it's (currently) a far more regular sight than the one at Martin Mere's Ron Barker hide!