An Angus wildlife reserve has installed a new floating high definition camera to record images of birds as they begin their summer migration.
Staff at Montrose Basin have fixed the device to a large raft anchored in the water as part of a programme of upgrades to the reserve’s camera network.
The “tern raft” was brought ashore near Montrose Sailing Club to carry out some minor maintenance and install a frame to support the expensive new equipment.
A spokesman said, “We are approaching the end of the project to upgrade our wildlife watching cameras and the fantastic new tern raft camera is the final process.
“It will allow us to transmit superb footage of nesting terns not only to the centre but also on to the internet via the Scottish Wildlife Trust website.
“As you can imagine, bringing a 64-square-metre tern raft ashore was no mean feat and it could not have been achieved without the help, time and efforts of both Montrose Sailing Club and Montrose RNLI crew. We owe them a debt of thanks for all their help.”
Meanwhile, staff and volunteers at the reserve have been working to create a wildflower meadow near the entrance to the visitor centre, which will attract a broad range of insects.
The old hedgerow and shrubs were removed to open the patch up and allow more light in before the area was sown with a wide selection of seeds from native species.
Once the site becomes established the venue’s teacher naturalists will use it during educational visits.
Wildlife ranger Ian Lawrence, from Stoke, who has previously worked on projects in County Cork and Staffordshire, has joined the staff at the basin on a six-month contract.
To volunteer at the reserve speak to a member of staff in the visitor centre or contact the Scottish Wildlife Trust ranger Adam McClure on amcclure@swt.org.uk.
Upcoming events at the basin include an Optical Fair on May 21 and 22, in addition to a Journey to the Centre of the Mud on June 19.