A RECORD number of more than 70,000 pink-footed geese have been recorded at a nature reserve where the birds migrate in winter.
The geese have descended on the Montrose Basin after their 750-mile migration from Greenland and Iceland, according to the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT).
The trust has a wildlife reserve at the basin, which is the tidal estuary of the river South Esk in Angus.
According to the SWT, on average, 60,000 pink-footed geese descend on the basin each year, where they spend the winter months.
This year, however, 70,153 geese have been recorded in the latest count, beating the previous record of 65,060 which was set in 2010.
These counts are undertaken in the early hours of the morning by Montrose Basin Ranger, Anna Cheshire, and volunteers.
Regional Visitor Centre Manager for the SWT, Caroline Hendry, said: "The news that there are over 70,000 geese at Montrose Basin is truly exceptional.
"Seeing these amazing creatures en masse is breathtaking for anyone lucky enough to witness it.
"This is not just something for die-hard wildlife enthusiasts to enjoy because it is absolutely breathtaking to see."
Around 372,000 pink-footed geese, 90 per cent of the world population, spend the winter in the UK.
The geese, which favour large estuaries, normally depart in April. The species breed in Svalbard (Spitsbergen), Iceland and Greenland.
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