The number of pink-footed geese making the 1,200km migration to Angus this year could break previous records.
Last year a staggering 78,970 geese were recorded, beating the previous record of 65,060 set in 2010.
This Sunday, as part of the Icelandic Breeding Goose Census that aims to count all of the geese in the UK, the Scottish Wildlife Trust team at Montrose will submit their latest count.
On average 60,000 pink-footed geese descend on Montrose Basin each year to spend the winter after migrating from Greenland and Iceland.
Emma Castle-Smith, assistant manager at the Montrose Basin visitor centre, said: “At the moment we are up to 56,637 geese but we are hoping this could be another record-breaking year at Montrose Basin.
“Seeing these amazing birds 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 stunning to see.
“The Scottish Wildlife Trust would urge people to come to Montrose Basin visitor centre to see this spectacle while the geese are in such high numbers.”
Around 372,000 pink-footed geese roughly 90% of the world’s population spend the winter in the UK.
Sunday’s count will be undertaken in the early hours of the morning by Montrose Basin ranger Anna Cheshier, with help from a group of dedicated volunteers.
There are plenty of opportunities for members of the public to see the birds, although dawn is the optimum viewing time.